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\input texinfo   @c -*-texinfo-*-
 
@c %**start of header
 
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@c                                                                            o
@c                           GNAT DOCUMENTATION                               o
@c                                                                            o
@c                              G N A T _ RM                                  o
@c                                                                            o
@c  GNAT is maintained by Ada Core Technologies Inc (http://www.gnat.com).    o
@c                                                                            o
@c oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
 
@setfilename gnat_rm.info
 
@copying
Copyright @copyright{} 1995-2008, Free Software Foundation, Inc.
 
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``GNAT Reference
Manual'', and with no Back-Cover Texts.  A copy of the license is
included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
@end copying
 
@set EDITION GNAT
@set DEFAULTLANGUAGEVERSION Ada 2005
@set NONDEFAULTLANGUAGEVERSION Ada 95
 
@settitle GNAT Reference Manual
 
@setchapternewpage odd
@syncodeindex fn cp
 
@include gcc-common.texi
 
@dircategory GNU Ada tools
@direntry
* GNAT Reference Manual: (gnat_rm).  Reference Manual for GNU Ada tools.
@end direntry
 
@titlepage
@title GNAT Reference Manual
@subtitle GNAT, The GNU Ada Compiler
@versionsubtitle
@author AdaCore
@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
 
@insertcopying
 
@end titlepage
 
@ifnottex
@node Top, About This Guide, (dir), (dir)
@top GNAT Reference Manual
 
@noindent
GNAT Reference Manual
 
@noindent
GNAT, The GNU Ada Compiler@*
GCC version @value{version-GCC}@*
 
@noindent
AdaCore
 
@menu
* About This Guide::
* Implementation Defined Pragmas::
* Implementation Defined Attributes::
* Implementation Defined Restrictions::
* Implementation Advice::
* Implementation Defined Characteristics::
* Intrinsic Subprograms::
* Representation Clauses and Pragmas::
* Standard Library Routines::
* The Implementation of Standard I/O::
* The GNAT Library::
* Interfacing to Other Languages::
* Specialized Needs Annexes::
* Implementation of Specific Ada Features::
* Implementation of Ada 2012 Features::
* Obsolescent Features::
* GNU Free Documentation License::
* Index::
 
 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
 
About This Guide
 
* What This Reference Manual Contains::
* Related Information::
 
Implementation Defined Pragmas
 
* Pragma Abort_Defer::
* Pragma Ada_83::
* Pragma Ada_95::
* Pragma Ada_05::
* Pragma Ada_2005::
* Pragma Ada_12::
* Pragma Ada_2012::
* Pragma Annotate::
* Pragma Assert::
* Pragma Assertion_Policy::
* Pragma Assume_No_Invalid_Values::
* Pragma Ast_Entry::
* Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy::
* Pragma Check::
* Pragma Check_Name::
* Pragma Check_Policy::
* Pragma Comment::
* Pragma Common_Object::
* Pragma Compile_Time_Error::
* Pragma Compile_Time_Warning::
* Pragma Compiler_Unit::
* Pragma Complete_Representation::
* Pragma Complex_Representation::
* Pragma Component_Alignment::
* Pragma Convention_Identifier::
* Pragma CPP_Class::
* Pragma CPP_Constructor::
* Pragma CPP_Virtual::
* Pragma CPP_Vtable::
* Pragma Debug::
* Pragma Debug_Policy::
* Pragma Detect_Blocking::
* Pragma Elaboration_Checks::
* Pragma Eliminate::
* Pragma Export_Exception::
* Pragma Export_Function::
* Pragma Export_Object::
* Pragma Export_Procedure::
* Pragma Export_Value::
* Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure::
* Pragma Extend_System::
* Pragma Extensions_Allowed::
* Pragma External::
* Pragma External_Name_Casing::
* Pragma Fast_Math::
* Pragma Favor_Top_Level::
* Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only::
* Pragma Float_Representation::
* Pragma Ident::
* Pragma Implemented::
* Pragma Implicit_Packing::
* Pragma Import_Exception::
* Pragma Import_Function::
* Pragma Import_Object::
* Pragma Import_Procedure::
* Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure::
* Pragma Initialize_Scalars::
* Pragma Inline_Always::
* Pragma Inline_Generic::
* Pragma Interface::
* Pragma Interface_Name::
* Pragma Interrupt_Handler::
* Pragma Interrupt_State::
* Pragma Invariant::
* Pragma Keep_Names::
* Pragma License::
* Pragma Link_With::
* Pragma Linker_Alias::
* Pragma Linker_Constructor::
* Pragma Linker_Destructor::
* Pragma Linker_Section::
* Pragma Long_Float::
* Pragma Machine_Attribute::
* Pragma Main::
* Pragma Main_Storage::
* Pragma No_Body::
* Pragma No_Return::
* Pragma No_Strict_Aliasing ::
* Pragma Normalize_Scalars::
* Pragma Obsolescent::
* Pragma Optimize_Alignment::
* Pragma Ordered::
* Pragma Passive::
* Pragma Persistent_BSS::
* Pragma Polling::
* Pragma Postcondition::
* Pragma Precondition::
* Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)::
* Pragma Profile (Restricted)::
* Pragma Psect_Object::
* Pragma Pure_Function::
* Pragma Remote_Access_Type::
* Pragma Restriction_Warnings::
* Pragma Shared::
* Pragma Short_Circuit_And_Or::
* Pragma Short_Descriptors::
* Pragma Simple_Storage_Pool_Type::
* Pragma Source_File_Name::
* Pragma Source_File_Name_Project::
* Pragma Source_Reference::
* Pragma Static_Elaboration_Desired::
* Pragma Stream_Convert::
* Pragma Style_Checks::
* Pragma Subtitle::
* Pragma Suppress::
* Pragma Suppress_All::
* Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations::
* Pragma Suppress_Initialization::
* Pragma Task_Info::
* Pragma Task_Name::
* Pragma Task_Storage::
* Pragma Test_Case::
* Pragma Thread_Local_Storage::
* Pragma Time_Slice::
* Pragma Title::
* Pragma Unchecked_Union::
* Pragma Unimplemented_Unit::
* Pragma Universal_Aliasing ::
* Pragma Universal_Data::
* Pragma Unmodified::
* Pragma Unreferenced::
* Pragma Unreferenced_Objects::
* Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts::
* Pragma Unsuppress::
* Pragma Use_VADS_Size::
* Pragma Validity_Checks::
* Pragma Volatile::
* Pragma Warnings::
* Pragma Weak_External::
* Pragma Wide_Character_Encoding::
 
Implementation Defined Attributes
 
* Abort_Signal::
* Address_Size::
* Asm_Input::
* Asm_Output::
* AST_Entry::
* Bit::
* Bit_Position::
* Compiler_Version::
* Code_Address::
* Default_Bit_Order::
* Descriptor_Size::
* Elaborated::
* Elab_Body::
* Elab_Spec::
* Elab_Subp_Body::
* Emax::
* Enabled::
* Enum_Rep::
* Enum_Val::
* Epsilon::
* Fixed_Value::
* Has_Access_Values::
* Has_Discriminants::
* Img::
* Integer_Value::
* Invalid_Value::
* Large::
* Machine_Size::
* Mantissa::
* Max_Interrupt_Priority::
* Max_Priority::
* Maximum_Alignment::
* Mechanism_Code::
* Null_Parameter::
* Object_Size::
* Old::
* Passed_By_Reference::
* Pool_Address::
* Range_Length::
* Result::
* Safe_Emax::
* Safe_Large::
* Simple_Storage_Pool::
* Small::
* Storage_Unit::
* Stub_Type::
* System_Allocator_Alignment::
* Target_Name::
* Tick::
* To_Address::
* Type_Class::
* UET_Address::
* Unconstrained_Array::
* Universal_Literal_String::
* Unrestricted_Access::
* VADS_Size::
* Value_Size::
* Wchar_T_Size::
* Word_Size::
 
Implementation Defined Restrictions
 
* Partition-Wide Restrictions::
* Program Unit Level Restrictions::
 
Partition-Wide Restrictions
 
* Immediate_Reclamation::
* Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting::
* Max_Entry_Queue_Length::
* Max_Protected_Entries::
* Max_Select_Alternatives::
* Max_Storage_At_Blocking::
* Max_Task_Entries::
* Max_Tasks::
* No_Abort_Statements::
* No_Access_Parameter_Allocators::
* No_Access_Subprograms::
* No_Allocators::
* No_Anonymous_Allocators::
* No_Calendar::
* No_Coextensions::
* No_Default_Initialization::
* No_Delay::
* No_Dependence::
* No_Direct_Boolean_Operators::
* No_Dispatch::
* No_Dispatching_Calls::
* No_Dynamic_Attachment::
* No_Dynamic_Priorities::
* No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code::
* No_Enumeration_Maps::
* No_Exception_Handlers::
* No_Exception_Propagation::
* No_Exception_Registration::
* No_Exceptions::
* No_Finalization::
* No_Fixed_Point::
* No_Floating_Point::
* No_Implicit_Conditionals::
* No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code::
* No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations::
* No_Implicit_Loops::
* No_Initialize_Scalars::
* No_IO::
* No_Local_Allocators::
* No_Local_Protected_Objects::
* No_Local_Timing_Events::
* No_Nested_Finalization::
* No_Protected_Type_Allocators::
* No_Protected_Types::
* No_Recursion::
* No_Reentrancy::
* No_Relative_Delay::
* No_Requeue_Statements::
* No_Secondary_Stack::
* No_Select_Statements::
* No_Specific_Termination_Handlers::
* No_Specification_of_Aspect::
* No_Standard_Allocators_After_Elaboration::
* No_Standard_Storage_Pools::
* No_Stream_Optimizations::
* No_Streams::
* No_Task_Allocators::
* No_Task_Attributes_Package::
* No_Task_Hierarchy::
* No_Task_Termination::
* No_Tasking::
* No_Terminate_Alternatives::
* No_Unchecked_Access::
* Simple_Barriers::
* Static_Priorities::
* Static_Storage_Size::
 
Program Unit Level Restrictions
 
* No_Elaboration_Code::
* No_Entry_Queue::
* No_Implementation_Aspect_Specifications::
* No_Implementation_Attributes::
* No_Implementation_Identifiers::
* No_Implementation_Pragmas::
* No_Implementation_Restrictions::
* No_Implementation_Units::
* No_Implicit_Aliasing::
* No_Obsolescent_Features::
* No_Wide_Characters::
* SPARK::
 
The Implementation of Standard I/O
 
* Standard I/O Packages::
* FORM Strings::
* Direct_IO::
* Sequential_IO::
* Text_IO::
* Wide_Text_IO::
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO::
* Stream_IO::
* Text Translation::
* Shared Files::
* Filenames encoding::
* Open Modes::
* Operations on C Streams::
* Interfacing to C Streams::
 
The GNAT Library
 
* Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-chzla1.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-chzla9.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Doubly_Linked_Lists (a-cfdlli.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Maps (a-cfhama.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Sets (a-cfhase.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Maps (a-cforma.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Sets (a-cforse.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Vectors (a-cofove.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Response_File (a-clrefi.ads)::
* Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Last_Chance_Handler (a-elchha.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)::
* Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)::
* Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)::
* Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)::
* Ada.Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-tirsfi.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-wichun.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-wrstfi.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-zchuni.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-zrstfi.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec (g-altive.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Conversions (g-altcon.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Operations (g-alveop.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Types (g-alvety.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Views (g-alvevi.ads)::
* GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)::
* GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)::
* GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)::
* GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)::
* GNAT.Byte_Order_Mark (g-byorma.ads)::
* GNAT.Byte_Swapping (g-bytswa.ads)::
* GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)::
* GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)::
* GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)::
* GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)::
* GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)::
* GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)::
* GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)::
* GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)::
* GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)::
* GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)::
* GNAT.Decode_String (g-decstr.ads)::
* GNAT.Decode_UTF8_String (g-deutst.ads)::
* GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)::
* GNAT.Directory_Operations.Iteration (g-diopit.ads)::
* GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)::
* GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)::
* GNAT.Encode_String (g-encstr.ads)::
* GNAT.Encode_UTF8_String (g-enutst.ads)::
* GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)::
* GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)::
* GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)::
* GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)::
* GNAT.Expect.TTY (g-exptty.ads)::
* GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)::
* GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)::
* GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)::
* GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)::
* GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)::
* GNAT.MBBS_Discrete_Random (g-mbdira.ads)::
* GNAT.MBBS_Float_Random (g-mbflra.ads)::
* GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)::
* GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)::
* GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)::
* GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)::
* GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)::
* GNAT.Random_Numbers (g-rannum.ads)::
* GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)::
* GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)::
* GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)::
* GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)::
* GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)::
* GNAT.Serial_Communications (g-sercom.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA1 (g-sha1.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA224 (g-sha224.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA256 (g-sha256.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA384 (g-sha384.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA512 (g-sha512.ads)::
* GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)::
* GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)::
* GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)::
* GNAT.Spelling_Checker (g-speche.ads)::
* GNAT.Spelling_Checker_Generic (g-spchge.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)::
* GNAT.SSE (g-sse.ads)::
* GNAT.SSE.Vector_Types (g-ssvety.ads)::
* GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)::
* GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)::
* GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)::
* GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)::
* GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)::
* GNAT.Time_Stamp (g-timsta.ads)::
* GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)::
* GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)::
* GNAT.UTF_32 (g-utf_32.ads)::
* GNAT.UTF_32_Spelling_Checker (g-u3spch.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-wispch.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-zspche.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)::
* Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)::
* Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)::
* Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)::
* Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)::
* Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)::
* Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)::
* System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)::
* System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)::
* System.Memory (s-memory.ads)::
* System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)::
* System.Pool_Global (s-pooglo.ads)::
* System.Pool_Local (s-pooloc.ads)::
* System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)::
* System.Rident (s-rident.ads)::
* System.Strings.Stream_Ops (s-ststop.ads)::
* System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)::
* System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)::
* System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)::
 
Text_IO
 
* Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
* Get_Immediate::
* Treating Text_IO Files as Streams::
* Text_IO Extensions::
* Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings::
 
Wide_Text_IO
 
* Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
 
Wide_Wide_Text_IO
 
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
 
Interfacing to Other Languages
 
* Interfacing to C::
* Interfacing to C++::
* Interfacing to COBOL::
* Interfacing to Fortran::
* Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code::
 
Specialized Needs Annexes
 
Implementation of Specific Ada Features
* Machine Code Insertions::
* GNAT Implementation of Tasking::
* GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages::
* Code Generation for Array Aggregates::
* The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants::
* Strict Conformance to the Ada Reference Manual::
 
Implementation of Ada 2012 Features
 
Obsolescent Features
 
GNU Free Documentation License
 
Index
@end menu
 
@end ifnottex
 
@node About This Guide
@unnumbered About This Guide
 
@noindent
This manual contains useful information in writing programs using the
@value{EDITION} compiler.  It includes information on implementation dependent
characteristics of @value{EDITION}, including all the information required by
Annex M of the Ada language standard.
 
@value{EDITION} implements Ada 95 and Ada 2005, and it may also be invoked in
Ada 83 compatibility mode.
By default, @value{EDITION} assumes @value{DEFAULTLANGUAGEVERSION},
but you can override with a compiler switch
to explicitly specify the language version.
(Please refer to @ref{Compiling Different Versions of Ada,,, gnat_ugn,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide}, for details on these switches.)
Throughout this manual, references to ``Ada'' without a year suffix
apply to both the Ada 95 and Ada 2005 versions of the language.
 
Ada is designed to be highly portable.
In general, a program will have the same effect even when compiled by
different compilers on different platforms.
However, since Ada is designed to be used in a
wide variety of applications, it also contains a number of system
dependent features to be used in interfacing to the external world.
@cindex Implementation-dependent features
@cindex Portability
 
Note: Any program that makes use of implementation-dependent features
may be non-portable.  You should follow good programming practice and
isolate and clearly document any sections of your program that make use
of these features in a non-portable manner.
 
@ifset PROEDITION
For ease of exposition, ``@value{EDITION}'' will be referred to simply as
``GNAT'' in the remainder of this document.
@end ifset
 
@menu
* What This Reference Manual Contains::
* Conventions::
* Related Information::
@end menu
 
@node What This Reference Manual Contains
@unnumberedsec What This Reference Manual Contains
 
@noindent
This reference manual contains the following chapters:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@ref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}, lists GNAT implementation-dependent
pragmas, which can be used to extend and enhance the functionality of the
compiler.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation Defined Attributes}, lists GNAT
implementation-dependent attributes, which can be used to extend and
enhance the functionality of the compiler.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation Defined Restrictions}, lists GNAT
implementation-dependent restrictions, which can be used to extend and
enhance the functionality of the compiler.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation Advice}, provides information on generally
desirable behavior which are not requirements that all compilers must
follow since it cannot be provided on all systems, or which may be
undesirable on some systems.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation Defined Characteristics}, provides a guide to
minimizing implementation dependent features.
 
@item
@ref{Intrinsic Subprograms}, describes the intrinsic subprograms
implemented by GNAT, and how they can be imported into user
application programs.
 
@item
@ref{Representation Clauses and Pragmas}, describes in detail the
way that GNAT represents data, and in particular the exact set
of representation clauses and pragmas that is accepted.
 
@item
@ref{Standard Library Routines}, provides a listing of packages and a
brief description of the functionality that is provided by Ada's
extensive set of standard library routines as implemented by GNAT@.
 
@item
@ref{The Implementation of Standard I/O}, details how the GNAT
implementation of the input-output facilities.
 
@item
@ref{The GNAT Library}, is a catalog of packages that complement
the Ada predefined library.
 
@item
@ref{Interfacing to Other Languages}, describes how programs
written in Ada using GNAT can be interfaced to other programming
languages.
 
@ref{Specialized Needs Annexes}, describes the GNAT implementation of all
of the specialized needs annexes.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation of Specific Ada Features}, discusses issues related
to GNAT's implementation of machine code insertions, tasking, and several
other features.
 
@item
@ref{Implementation of Ada 2012 Features}, describes the status of the
GNAT implementation of the Ada 2012 language standard.
 
@item
@ref{Obsolescent Features} documents implementation dependent features,
including pragmas and attributes, which are considered obsolescent, since
there are other preferred ways of achieving the same results. These
obsolescent forms are retained for backwards compatibility.
 
@end itemize
 
@cindex Ada 95 Language Reference Manual
@cindex Ada 2005 Language Reference Manual
@noindent
This reference manual assumes a basic familiarity with the Ada 95 language, as
described in the International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC-8652:1995,
January 1995.
It does not require knowledge of the new features introduced by Ada 2005,
(officially known as ISO/IEC 8652:1995 with Technical Corrigendum 1
and Amendment 1).
Both reference manuals are included in the GNAT documentation
package.
 
@node Conventions
@unnumberedsec Conventions
@cindex Conventions, typographical
@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
@code{Option flags}
 
@item
@file{File names}, @samp{button names}, and @samp{field names}.
 
@item
@code{Variables}, @env{environment variables}, and @var{metasyntactic
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 @samp{$ } (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 @samp{$} replaced by whatever prompt character you are using.
 
@node Related Information
@unnumberedsec Related Information
@noindent
See the following documents for further information on GNAT:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@xref{Top, @value{EDITION} User's Guide, About This Guide, gnat_ugn,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide}, which provides information on how to use the
GNAT compiler system.
 
@item
@cite{Ada 95 Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
material for the Ada 95 programming language.
 
@item
@cite{Ada 95 Annotated Reference Manual}, which is an annotated version
of the Ada 95 standard.  The annotations describe
detailed aspects of the design decision, and in particular contain useful
sections on Ada 83 compatibility.
 
@item
@cite{Ada 2005 Reference Manual}, which contains all reference
material for the Ada 2005 programming language.
 
@item
@cite{Ada 2005 Annotated Reference Manual}, which is an annotated version
of the Ada 2005 standard.  The annotations describe
detailed aspects of the design decision, and in particular contain useful
sections on Ada 83 and Ada 95 compatibility.
 
@item
@cite{DEC Ada, Technical Overview and Comparison on DIGITAL Platforms},
which contains specific information on compatibility between GNAT and
DEC Ada 83 systems.
 
@item
@cite{DEC Ada, Language Reference Manual, part number AA-PYZAB-TK} which
describes in detail the pragmas and attributes provided by the DEC Ada 83
compiler system.
 
@end itemize
 
@node Implementation Defined Pragmas
@chapter Implementation Defined Pragmas
 
@noindent
Ada defines a set of pragmas that can be used to supply additional
information to the compiler.  These language defined pragmas are
implemented in GNAT and work as described in the Ada Reference Manual.
 
In addition, Ada allows implementations to define additional pragmas
whose meaning is defined by the implementation.  GNAT provides a number
of these implementation-defined pragmas, which can be used to extend
and enhance the functionality of the compiler.  This section of the GNAT
Reference Manual describes these additional pragmas.
 
Note that any program using these pragmas might not be portable to other
compilers (although GNAT implements this set of pragmas on all
platforms).  Therefore if portability to other compilers is an important
consideration, the use of these pragmas should be minimized.
 
@menu
* Pragma Abort_Defer::
* Pragma Ada_83::
* Pragma Ada_95::
* Pragma Ada_05::
* Pragma Ada_2005::
* Pragma Ada_12::
* Pragma Ada_2012::
* Pragma Annotate::
* Pragma Assert::
* Pragma Assertion_Policy::
* Pragma Assume_No_Invalid_Values::
* Pragma Ast_Entry::
* Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy::
* Pragma Check::
* Pragma Check_Name::
* Pragma Check_Policy::
* Pragma Comment::
* Pragma Common_Object::
* Pragma Compile_Time_Error::
* Pragma Compile_Time_Warning::
* Pragma Compiler_Unit::
* Pragma Complete_Representation::
* Pragma Complex_Representation::
* Pragma Component_Alignment::
* Pragma Convention_Identifier::
* Pragma CPP_Class::
* Pragma CPP_Constructor::
* Pragma CPP_Virtual::
* Pragma CPP_Vtable::
* Pragma Debug::
* Pragma Debug_Policy::
* Pragma Detect_Blocking::
* Pragma Elaboration_Checks::
* Pragma Eliminate::
* Pragma Export_Exception::
* Pragma Export_Function::
* Pragma Export_Object::
* Pragma Export_Procedure::
* Pragma Export_Value::
* Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure::
* Pragma Extend_System::
* Pragma Extensions_Allowed::
* Pragma External::
* Pragma External_Name_Casing::
* Pragma Fast_Math::
* Pragma Favor_Top_Level::
* Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only::
* Pragma Float_Representation::
* Pragma Ident::
* Pragma Implemented::
* Pragma Implicit_Packing::
* Pragma Import_Exception::
* Pragma Import_Function::
* Pragma Import_Object::
* Pragma Import_Procedure::
* Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure::
* Pragma Initialize_Scalars::
* Pragma Inline_Always::
* Pragma Inline_Generic::
* Pragma Interface::
* Pragma Interface_Name::
* Pragma Interrupt_Handler::
* Pragma Interrupt_State::
* Pragma Invariant::
* Pragma Keep_Names::
* Pragma License::
* Pragma Link_With::
* Pragma Linker_Alias::
* Pragma Linker_Constructor::
* Pragma Linker_Destructor::
* Pragma Linker_Section::
* Pragma Long_Float::
* Pragma Machine_Attribute::
* Pragma Main::
* Pragma Main_Storage::
* Pragma No_Body::
* Pragma No_Return::
* Pragma No_Strict_Aliasing::
* Pragma Normalize_Scalars::
* Pragma Obsolescent::
* Pragma Optimize_Alignment::
* Pragma Ordered::
* Pragma Passive::
* Pragma Persistent_BSS::
* Pragma Polling::
* Pragma Postcondition::
* Pragma Precondition::
* Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)::
* Pragma Profile (Restricted)::
* Pragma Psect_Object::
* Pragma Pure_Function::
* Pragma Remote_Access_Type::
* Pragma Restriction_Warnings::
* Pragma Shared::
* Pragma Short_Circuit_And_Or::
* Pragma Short_Descriptors::
* Pragma Simple_Storage_Pool_Type::
* Pragma Source_File_Name::
* Pragma Source_File_Name_Project::
* Pragma Source_Reference::
* Pragma Static_Elaboration_Desired::
* Pragma Stream_Convert::
* Pragma Style_Checks::
* Pragma Subtitle::
* Pragma Suppress::
* Pragma Suppress_All::
* Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations::
* Pragma Suppress_Initialization::
* Pragma Task_Info::
* Pragma Task_Name::
* Pragma Task_Storage::
* Pragma Test_Case::
* Pragma Thread_Local_Storage::
* Pragma Time_Slice::
* Pragma Title::
* Pragma Unchecked_Union::
* Pragma Unimplemented_Unit::
* Pragma Universal_Aliasing ::
* Pragma Universal_Data::
* Pragma Unmodified::
* Pragma Unreferenced::
* Pragma Unreferenced_Objects::
* Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts::
* Pragma Unsuppress::
* Pragma Use_VADS_Size::
* Pragma Validity_Checks::
* Pragma Volatile::
* Pragma Warnings::
* Pragma Weak_External::
* Pragma Wide_Character_Encoding::
@end menu
 
@node Pragma Abort_Defer
@unnumberedsec Pragma Abort_Defer
@findex Abort_Defer
@cindex Deferring aborts
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample
pragma Abort_Defer;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma must appear at the start of the statement sequence of a
handled sequence of statements (right after the @code{begin}).  It has
the effect of deferring aborts for the sequence of statements (but not
for the declarations or handlers, if any, associated with this statement
sequence).
 
@node Pragma Ada_83
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_83
@findex Ada_83
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_83;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 83 mode for the unit to
which it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line
switches.  In Ada 83 mode, GNAT attempts to be as compatible with
the syntax and semantics of Ada 83, as defined in the original Ada
83 Reference Manual as possible.  In particular, the keywords added by Ada 95
and Ada 2005 are not recognized, optional package bodies are allowed,
and generics may name types with unknown discriminants without using
the @code{(<>)} notation.  In addition, some but not all of the additional
restrictions of Ada 83 are enforced.
 
Ada 83 mode is intended for two purposes.  Firstly, it allows existing
Ada 83 code to be compiled and adapted to GNAT with less effort.
Secondly, it aids in keeping code backwards compatible with Ada 83.
However, there is no guarantee that code that is processed correctly
by GNAT in Ada 83 mode will in fact compile and execute with an Ada
83 compiler, since GNAT does not enforce all the additional checks
required by Ada 83.
 
@node Pragma Ada_95
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_95
@findex Ada_95
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_95;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 95 mode for the unit to which
it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line switches.
This mode is set automatically for the @code{Ada} and @code{System}
packages and their children, so you need not specify it in these
contexts.  This pragma is useful when writing a reusable component that
itself uses Ada 95 features, but which is intended to be usable from
either Ada 83 or Ada 95 programs.
 
@node Pragma Ada_05
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_05
@findex Ada_05
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_05;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 2005 mode for the unit to which
it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line switches.
This pragma is useful when writing a reusable component that
itself uses Ada 2005 features, but which is intended to be usable from
either Ada 83 or Ada 95 programs.
 
@node Pragma Ada_2005
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_2005
@findex Ada_2005
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_2005;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This configuration pragma is a synonym for pragma Ada_05 and has the
same syntax and effect.
 
@node Pragma Ada_12
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_12
@findex Ada_12
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_12;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes Ada 2012 mode for the unit to which
it applies, regardless of the mode set by the command line switches.
This mode is set automatically for the @code{Ada} and @code{System}
packages and their children, so you need not specify it in these
contexts.  This pragma is useful when writing a reusable component that
itself uses Ada 2012 features, but which is intended to be usable from
Ada 83, Ada 95, or Ada 2005 programs.
 
@node Pragma Ada_2012
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ada_2012
@findex Ada_2005
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ada_2012;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This configuration pragma is a synonym for pragma Ada_12 and has the
same syntax and effect.
 
@node Pragma Annotate
@unnumberedsec Pragma Annotate
@findex Annotate
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Annotate (IDENTIFIER [,IDENTIFIER @{, ARG@}]);
 
ARG ::= NAME | EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used to annotate programs.  @var{identifier} identifies
the type of annotation.  GNAT verifies that it is an identifier, but does
not otherwise analyze it. The second optional identifier is also left
unanalyzed, and by convention is used to control the action of the tool to
which the annotation is addressed.  The remaining @var{arg} arguments
can be either string literals or more generally expressions.
String literals are assumed to be either of type
@code{Standard.String} or else @code{Wide_String} or @code{Wide_Wide_String}
depending on the character literals they contain.
All other kinds of arguments are analyzed as expressions, and must be
unambiguous.
 
The analyzed pragma is retained in the tree, but not otherwise processed
by any part of the GNAT compiler, except to generate corresponding note
lines in the generated ALI file. For the format of these note lines, see
the compiler source file lib-writ.ads. This pragma is intended for use by
external tools, including ASIS@. The use of pragma Annotate does not
affect the compilation process in any way. This pragma may be used as
a configuration pragma.
 
@node Pragma Assert
@unnumberedsec Pragma Assert
@findex Assert
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Assert (
  boolean_EXPRESSION
  [, string_EXPRESSION]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The effect of this pragma depends on whether the corresponding command
line switch is set to activate assertions.  The pragma expands into code
equivalent to the following:
 
@smallexample @c ada
if assertions-enabled then
   if not boolean_EXPRESSION then
      System.Assertions.Raise_Assert_Failure
        (string_EXPRESSION);
   end if;
end if;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The string argument, if given, is the message that will be associated
with the exception occurrence if the exception is raised.  If no second
argument is given, the default message is @samp{@var{file}:@var{nnn}},
where @var{file} is the name of the source file containing the assert,
and @var{nnn} is the line number of the assert.  A pragma is not a
statement, so if a statement sequence contains nothing but a pragma
assert, then a null statement is required in addition, as in:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@dots{}
if J > 3 then
   pragma Assert (K > 3, "Bad value for K");
   null;
end if;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note that, as with the @code{if} statement to which it is equivalent, the
type of the expression is either @code{Standard.Boolean}, or any type derived
from this standard type.
 
If assertions are disabled (switch @option{-gnata} not used), then there
is no run-time effect (and in particular, any side effects from the
expression will not occur at run time).  (The expression is still
analyzed at compile time, and may cause types to be frozen if they are
mentioned here for the first time).
 
If assertions are enabled, then the given expression is tested, and if
it is @code{False} then @code{System.Assertions.Raise_Assert_Failure} is called
which results in the raising of @code{Assert_Failure} with the given message.
 
You should generally avoid side effects in the expression arguments of
this pragma, because these side effects will turn on and off with the
setting of the assertions mode, resulting in assertions that have an
effect on the program.  However, the expressions are analyzed for
semantic correctness whether or not assertions are enabled, so turning
assertions on and off cannot affect the legality of a program.
 
Note that the implementation defined policy @code{DISABLE}, given in a
pragma Assertion_Policy, can be used to suppress this semantic analysis.
 
Note: this is a standard language-defined pragma in versions
of Ada from 2005 on. In GNAT, it is implemented in all versions
of Ada, and the DISABLE policy is an implementation-defined
addition.
 
 
@node Pragma Assertion_Policy
@unnumberedsec Pragma Assertion_Policy
@findex Debug_Policy
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Assertion_Policy (CHECK | DISABLE | IGNORE);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
If the argument is @code{CHECK}, then pragma @code{Assert} is enabled.
If the argument is @code{IGNORE}, then pragma @code{Assert} is ignored.
This pragma overrides the effect of the @option{-gnata} switch on the
command line.
 
The implementation defined policy @code{DISABLE} is like
@code{IGNORE} except that it completely disables semantic
checking of the argument to @code{pragma Assert}. This may
be useful when the pragma argument references subprograms
in a with'ed package which is replaced by a dummy package
for the final build.
 
Note: this is a standard language-defined pragma in versions
of Ada from 2005 on. In GNAT, it is implemented in all versions
of Ada, and the DISABLE policy is an implementation-defined
addition.
 
@node Pragma Assume_No_Invalid_Values
@unnumberedsec Pragma Assume_No_Invalid_Values
@findex Assume_No_Invalid_Values
@cindex Invalid representations
@cindex Invalid values
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Assume_No_Invalid_Values (On | Off);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma that controls the assumptions made by the
compiler about the occurrence of invalid representations (invalid values)
in the code.
 
The default behavior (corresponding to an Off argument for this pragma), is
to assume that values may in general be invalid unless the compiler can
prove they are valid. Consider the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
V1 : Integer range 1 .. 10;
V2 : Integer range 11 .. 20;
...
for J in V2 .. V1 loop
   ...
end loop;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
if V1 and V2 have valid values, then the loop is known at compile
time not to execute since the lower bound must be greater than the
upper bound. However in default mode, no such assumption is made,
and the loop may execute. If @code{Assume_No_Invalid_Values (On)}
is given, the compiler will assume that any occurrence of a variable
other than in an explicit @code{'Valid} test always has a valid
value, and the loop above will be optimized away.
 
The use of @code{Assume_No_Invalid_Values (On)} is appropriate if
you know your code is free of uninitialized variables and other
possible sources of invalid representations, and may result in
more efficient code. A program that accesses an invalid representation
with this pragma in effect is erroneous, so no guarantees can be made
about its behavior.
 
It is peculiar though permissible to use this pragma in conjunction
with validity checking (-gnatVa). In such cases, accessing invalid
values will generally give an exception, though formally the program
is erroneous so there are no guarantees that this will always be the
case, and it is recommended that these two options not be used together.
 
@node Pragma Ast_Entry
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ast_Entry
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Ast_Entry
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma AST_Entry (entry_IDENTIFIER);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.  The
argument is the simple name of a single entry; at most one @code{AST_Entry}
pragma is allowed for any given entry.  This pragma must be used in
conjunction with the @code{AST_Entry} attribute, and is only allowed after
the entry declaration and in the same task type specification or single task
as the entry to which it applies.  This pragma specifies that the given entry
may be used to handle an OpenVMS asynchronous system trap (@code{AST})
resulting from an OpenVMS system service call.  The pragma does not affect
normal use of the entry.  For further details on this pragma, see the
DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 9.12a.
 
@node Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
@unnumberedsec Pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
@cindex Passing by copy
@findex C_Pass_By_Copy
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma C_Pass_By_Copy
  ([Max_Size =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Normally the default mechanism for passing C convention records to C
convention subprograms is to pass them by reference, as suggested by RM
B.3(69).  Use the configuration pragma @code{C_Pass_By_Copy} to change
this default, by requiring that record formal parameters be passed by
copy if all of the following conditions are met:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The size of the record type does not exceed the value specified for
@code{Max_Size}.
@item
The record type has @code{Convention C}.
@item
The formal parameter has this record type, and the subprogram has a
foreign (non-Ada) convention.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
If these conditions are met the argument is passed by copy, i.e.@: in a
manner consistent with what C expects if the corresponding formal in the
C prototype is a struct (rather than a pointer to a struct).
 
You can also pass records by copy by specifying the convention
@code{C_Pass_By_Copy} for the record type, or by using the extended
@code{Import} and @code{Export} pragmas, which allow specification of
passing mechanisms on a parameter by parameter basis.
 
@node Pragma Check
@unnumberedsec Pragma Check
@cindex Assertions
@cindex Named assertions
@findex Check
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Check (
     [Name    =>] Identifier,
     [Check   =>] Boolean_EXPRESSION
  [, [Message =>] string_EXPRESSION] );
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is similar to the predefined pragma @code{Assert} except that an
extra identifier argument is present. In conjunction with pragma
@code{Check_Policy}, this can be used to define groups of assertions that can
be independently controlled. The identifier @code{Assertion} is special, it
refers to the normal set of pragma @code{Assert} statements. The identifiers
@code{Precondition} and @code{Postcondition} correspond to the pragmas of these
names, so these three names would normally not be used directly in a pragma
@code{Check}.
 
Checks introduced by this pragma are normally deactivated by default. They can
be activated either by the command line option @option{-gnata}, which turns on
all checks, or individually controlled using pragma @code{Check_Policy}.
 
@node Pragma Check_Name
@unnumberedsec Pragma Check_Name
@cindex Defining check names
@cindex Check names, defining
@findex Check_Name
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Check_Name (check_name_IDENTIFIER);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma that defines a new implementation
defined check name (unless IDENTIFIER matches one of the predefined
check names, in which case the pragma has no effect). Check names
are global to a partition, so if two or more configuration pragmas
are present in a partition mentioning the same name, only one new
check name is introduced.
 
An implementation defined check name introduced with this pragma may
be used in only three contexts: @code{pragma Suppress},
@code{pragma Unsuppress},
and as the prefix of a @code{Check_Name'Enabled} attribute reference. For
any of these three cases, the check name must be visible. A check
name is visible if it is in the configuration pragmas applying to
the current unit, or if it appears at the start of any unit that
is part of the dependency set of the current unit (e.g., units that
are mentioned in @code{with} clauses).
 
@node Pragma Check_Policy
@unnumberedsec Pragma Check_Policy
@cindex Controlling assertions
@cindex Assertions, control
@cindex Check pragma control
@cindex Named assertions
@findex Check
@noindent
Syntax:
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Check_Policy
 ([Name   =>] Identifier,
  [Policy =>] POLICY_IDENTIFIER);
 
POLICY_IDENTIFIER ::= ON | OFF | CHECK | DISABLE | IGNORE
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is similar to the predefined pragma @code{Assertion_Policy},
except that it controls sets of named assertions introduced using the
@code{Check} pragmas. It can be used as a configuration pragma or (unlike
@code{Assertion_Policy}) can be used within a declarative part, in which case
it controls the status to the end of the corresponding construct (in a manner
identical to pragma @code{Suppress)}.
 
The identifier given as the first argument corresponds to a name used in
associated @code{Check} pragmas. For example, if the pragma:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Check_Policy (Critical_Error, OFF);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
is given, then subsequent @code{Check} pragmas whose first argument is also
@code{Critical_Error} will be disabled. The special identifier @code{Assertion}
controls the behavior of normal @code{Assert} pragmas (thus a pragma
@code{Check_Policy} with this identifier is similar to the normal
@code{Assertion_Policy} pragma except that it can appear within a
declarative part).
 
The special identifiers @code{Precondition} and @code{Postcondition} control
the status of preconditions and postconditions. If a @code{Precondition} pragma
is encountered, it is ignored if turned off by a @code{Check_Policy} specifying
that @code{Precondition} checks are @code{Off} or @code{Ignored}. Similarly use
of the name @code{Postcondition} controls whether @code{Postcondition} pragmas
are recognized.
 
The check policy is @code{OFF} to turn off corresponding checks, and @code{ON}
to turn on corresponding checks. The default for a set of checks for which no
@code{Check_Policy} is given is @code{OFF} unless the compiler switch
@option{-gnata} is given, which turns on all checks by default.
 
The check policy settings @code{CHECK} and @code{IGNORE} are also recognized
as synonyms for @code{ON} and @code{OFF}. These synonyms are provided for
compatibility with the standard @code{Assertion_Policy} pragma.
 
The implementation defined policy @code{DISABLE} is like
@code{OFF} except that it completely disables semantic
checking of the argument to the corresponding class of
pragmas. This may be useful when the pragma arguments reference
subprograms in a with'ed package which is replaced by a dummy package
for the final build.
 
@node Pragma Comment
@unnumberedsec Pragma Comment
@findex Comment
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Comment (static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is almost identical in effect to pragma @code{Ident}.  It allows the
placement of a comment into the object file and hence into the
executable file if the operating system permits such usage.  The
difference is that @code{Comment}, unlike @code{Ident}, has
no limitations on placement of the pragma (it can be placed
anywhere in the main source unit), and if more than one pragma
is used, all comments are retained.
 
@node Pragma Common_Object
@unnumberedsec Pragma Common_Object
@findex Common_Object
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Common_Object (
     [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Size     =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL] );
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma enables the shared use of variables stored in overlaid
linker areas corresponding to the use of @code{COMMON}
in Fortran.  The single
object @var{LOCAL_NAME} is assigned to the area designated by
the @var{External} argument.
You may define a record to correspond to a series
of fields.  The @var{Size} argument
is syntax checked in GNAT, but otherwise ignored.
 
@code{Common_Object} is not supported on all platforms.  If no
support is available, then the code generator will issue a message
indicating that the necessary attribute for implementation of this
pragma is not available.
 
@node Pragma Compile_Time_Error
@unnumberedsec Pragma Compile_Time_Error
@findex Compile_Time_Error
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Compile_Time_Error
         (boolean_EXPRESSION, static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma can be used to generate additional compile time
error messages. It
is particularly useful in generics, where errors can be issued for
specific problematic instantiations. The first parameter is a boolean
expression. The pragma is effective only if the value of this expression
is known at compile time, and has the value True. The set of expressions
whose values are known at compile time includes all static boolean
expressions, and also other values which the compiler can determine
at compile time (e.g., the size of a record type set by an explicit
size representation clause, or the value of a variable which was
initialized to a constant and is known not to have been modified).
If these conditions are met, an error message is generated using
the value given as the second argument. This string value may contain
embedded ASCII.LF characters to break the message into multiple lines.
 
@node Pragma Compile_Time_Warning
@unnumberedsec Pragma Compile_Time_Warning
@findex Compile_Time_Warning
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Compile_Time_Warning
         (boolean_EXPRESSION, static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Same as pragma Compile_Time_Error, except a warning is issued instead
of an error message. Note that if this pragma is used in a package that
is with'ed by a client, the client will get the warning even though it
is issued by a with'ed package (normally warnings in with'ed units are
suppressed, but this is a special exception to that rule).
 
One typical use is within a generic where compile time known characteristics
of formal parameters are tested, and warnings given appropriately. Another use
with a first parameter of True is to warn a client about use of a package,
for example that it is not fully implemented.
 
@node Pragma Compiler_Unit
@unnumberedsec Pragma Compiler_Unit
@findex Compiler_Unit
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Compiler_Unit;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is intended only for internal use in the GNAT run-time library.
It indicates that the unit is used as part of the compiler build. The effect
is to disallow constructs (raise with message, conditional expressions etc)
that would cause trouble when bootstrapping using an older version of GNAT.
For the exact list of restrictions, see the compiler sources and references
to Is_Compiler_Unit.
 
@node Pragma Complete_Representation
@unnumberedsec Pragma Complete_Representation
@findex Complete_Representation
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Complete_Representation;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma must appear immediately within a record representation
clause. Typical placements are before the first component clause
or after the last component clause. The effect is to give an error
message if any component is missing a component clause. This pragma
may be used to ensure that a record representation clause is
complete, and that this invariant is maintained if fields are
added to the record in the future.
 
@node Pragma Complex_Representation
@unnumberedsec Pragma Complex_Representation
@findex Complex_Representation
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Complex_Representation
        ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The @var{Entity} argument must be the name of a record type which has
two fields of the same floating-point type.  The effect of this pragma is
to force gcc to use the special internal complex representation form for
this record, which may be more efficient.  Note that this may result in
the code for this type not conforming to standard ABI (application
binary interface) requirements for the handling of record types.  For
example, in some environments, there is a requirement for passing
records by pointer, and the use of this pragma may result in passing
this type in floating-point registers.
 
@node Pragma Component_Alignment
@unnumberedsec Pragma Component_Alignment
@cindex Alignments of components
@findex Component_Alignment
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Component_Alignment (
     [Form =>] ALIGNMENT_CHOICE
  [, [Name =>] type_LOCAL_NAME]);
 
ALIGNMENT_CHOICE ::=
  Component_Size
| Component_Size_4
| Storage_Unit
| Default
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Specifies the alignment of components in array or record types.
The meaning of the @var{Form} argument is as follows:
 
@table @code
@findex Component_Size
@item Component_Size
Aligns scalar components and subcomponents of the array or record type
on boundaries appropriate to their inherent size (naturally
aligned).  For example, 1-byte components are aligned on byte boundaries,
2-byte integer components are aligned on 2-byte boundaries, 4-byte
integer components are aligned on 4-byte boundaries and so on.  These
alignment rules correspond to the normal rules for C compilers on all
machines except the VAX@.
 
@findex Component_Size_4
@item Component_Size_4
Naturally aligns components with a size of four or fewer
bytes.  Components that are larger than 4 bytes are placed on the next
4-byte boundary.
 
@findex Storage_Unit
@item Storage_Unit
Specifies that array or record components are byte aligned, i.e.@:
aligned on boundaries determined by the value of the constant
@code{System.Storage_Unit}.
 
@cindex OpenVMS
@item Default
Specifies that array or record components are aligned on default
boundaries, appropriate to the underlying hardware or operating system or
both.  For OpenVMS VAX systems, the @code{Default} choice is the same as
the @code{Storage_Unit} choice (byte alignment).  For all other systems,
the @code{Default} choice is the same as @code{Component_Size} (natural
alignment).
@end table
 
@noindent
If the @code{Name} parameter is present, @var{type_LOCAL_NAME} must
refer to a local record or array type, and the specified alignment
choice applies to the specified type.  The use of
@code{Component_Alignment} together with a pragma @code{Pack} causes the
@code{Component_Alignment} pragma to be ignored.  The use of
@code{Component_Alignment} together with a record representation clause
is only effective for fields not specified by the representation clause.
 
If the @code{Name} parameter is absent, the pragma can be used as either
a configuration pragma, in which case it applies to one or more units in
accordance with the normal rules for configuration pragmas, or it can be
used within a declarative part, in which case it applies to types that
are declared within this declarative part, or within any nested scope
within this declarative part.  In either case it specifies the alignment
to be applied to any record or array type which has otherwise standard
representation.
 
If the alignment for a record or array type is not specified (using
pragma @code{Pack}, pragma @code{Component_Alignment}, or a record rep
clause), the GNAT uses the default alignment as described previously.
 
@node Pragma Convention_Identifier
@unnumberedsec Pragma Convention_Identifier
@findex Convention_Identifier
@cindex Conventions, synonyms
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Convention_Identifier (
         [Name =>]       IDENTIFIER,
         [Convention =>] convention_IDENTIFIER);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides a mechanism for supplying synonyms for existing
convention identifiers. The @code{Name} identifier can subsequently
be used as a synonym for the given convention in other pragmas (including
for example pragma @code{Import} or another @code{Convention_Identifier}
pragma). As an example of the use of this, suppose you had legacy code
which used Fortran77 as the identifier for Fortran. Then the pragma:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Convention_Identifier (Fortran77, Fortran);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
would allow the use of the convention identifier @code{Fortran77} in
subsequent code, avoiding the need to modify the sources. As another
example, you could use this to parameterize convention requirements
according to systems. Suppose you needed to use @code{Stdcall} on
windows systems, and @code{C} on some other system, then you could
define a convention identifier @code{Library} and use a single
@code{Convention_Identifier} pragma to specify which convention
would be used system-wide.
 
@node Pragma CPP_Class
@unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Class
@findex CPP_Class
@cindex Interfacing with C++
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma CPP_Class ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The argument denotes an entity in the current declarative region that is
declared as a record type. It indicates that the type corresponds to an
externally declared C++ class type, and is to be laid out the same way
that C++ would lay out the type. If the C++ class has virtual primitives
then the record must be declared as a tagged record type.
 
Types for which @code{CPP_Class} is specified do not have assignment or
equality operators defined (such operations can be imported or declared
as subprograms as required). Initialization is allowed only by constructor
functions (see pragma @code{CPP_Constructor}). Such types are implicitly
limited if not explicitly declared as limited or derived from a limited
type, and an error is issued in that case.
 
Pragma @code{CPP_Class} is intended primarily for automatic generation
using an automatic binding generator tool.
See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
 
Note: Pragma @code{CPP_Class} is currently obsolete. It is supported
for backward compatibility but its functionality is available
using pragma @code{Import} with @code{Convention} = @code{CPP}.
 
@node Pragma CPP_Constructor
@unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Constructor
@cindex Interfacing with C++
@findex CPP_Constructor
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma CPP_Constructor ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]
  [, [Link_Name     =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma identifies an imported function (imported in the usual way
with pragma @code{Import}) as corresponding to a C++ constructor. If
@code{External_Name} and @code{Link_Name} are not specified then the
@code{Entity} argument is a name that must have been previously mentioned
in a pragma @code{Import} with @code{Convention} = @code{CPP}. Such name
must be of one of the following forms:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{function @var{Fname} return @var{T}}
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{function @var{Fname} return @var{T}'Class}
 
@item
@code{function @var{Fname} (@dots{}) return @var{T}}
@end itemize
 
@item
@code{function @var{Fname} (@dots{}) return @var{T}'Class}
@end itemize
 
@noindent
where @var{T} is a limited record type imported from C++ with pragma
@code{Import} and @code{Convention} = @code{CPP}.
 
The first two forms import the default constructor, used when an object
of type @var{T} is created on the Ada side with no explicit constructor.
The latter two forms cover all the non-default constructors of the type.
See the GNAT users guide for details.
 
If no constructors are imported, it is impossible to create any objects
on the Ada side and the type is implicitly declared abstract.
 
Pragma @code{CPP_Constructor} is intended primarily for automatic generation
using an automatic binding generator tool.
See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for more related information.
 
Note: The use of functions returning class-wide types for constructors is
currently obsolete. They are supported for backward compatibility. The
use of functions returning the type T leave the Ada sources more clear
because the imported C++ constructors always return an object of type T;
that is, they never return an object whose type is a descendant of type T.
 
@node Pragma CPP_Virtual
@unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Virtual
@cindex Interfacing to C++
@findex CPP_Virtual
@noindent
This pragma is now obsolete has has no effect because GNAT generates
the same object layout than the G++ compiler.
 
See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
 
@node Pragma CPP_Vtable
@unnumberedsec Pragma CPP_Vtable
@cindex Interfacing with C++
@findex CPP_Vtable
@noindent
This pragma is now obsolete has has no effect because GNAT generates
the same object layout than the G++ compiler.
 
See @ref{Interfacing to C++} for related information.
 
@node Pragma Debug
@unnumberedsec Pragma Debug
@findex Debug
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Debug ([CONDITION, ]PROCEDURE_CALL_WITHOUT_SEMICOLON);
 
PROCEDURE_CALL_WITHOUT_SEMICOLON ::=
  PROCEDURE_NAME
| PROCEDURE_PREFIX ACTUAL_PARAMETER_PART
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The procedure call argument has the syntactic form of an expression, meeting
the syntactic requirements for pragmas.
 
If debug pragmas are not enabled or if the condition is present and evaluates
to False, this pragma has no effect. If debug pragmas are enabled, the
semantics of the pragma is exactly equivalent to the procedure call statement
corresponding to the argument with a terminating semicolon. Pragmas are
permitted in sequences of declarations, so you can use pragma @code{Debug} to
intersperse calls to debug procedures in the middle of declarations. Debug
pragmas can be enabled either by use of the command line switch @option{-gnata}
or by use of the configuration pragma @code{Debug_Policy}.
 
@node Pragma Debug_Policy
@unnumberedsec Pragma Debug_Policy
@findex Debug_Policy
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Debug_Policy (CHECK | DISABLE | IGNORE);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
If the argument is @code{CHECK}, then pragma @code{DEBUG} is enabled.
If the argument is @code{IGNORE}, then pragma @code{DEBUG} is ignored.
This pragma overrides the effect of the @option{-gnata} switch on the
command line.
 
The implementation defined policy @code{DISABLE} is like
@code{IGNORE} except that it completely disables semantic
checking of the argument to @code{pragma Debug}. This may
be useful when the pragma argument references subprograms
in a with'ed package which is replaced by a dummy package
for the final build.
 
@node Pragma Detect_Blocking
@unnumberedsec Pragma Detect_Blocking
@findex Detect_Blocking
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Detect_Blocking;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma that forces the detection of potentially
blocking operations within a protected operation, and to raise Program_Error
if that happens.
 
@node Pragma Elaboration_Checks
@unnumberedsec Pragma Elaboration_Checks
@cindex Elaboration control
@findex Elaboration_Checks
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Elaboration_Checks (Dynamic | Static);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma that provides control over the
elaboration model used by the compilation affected by the
pragma.  If the parameter is @code{Dynamic},
then the dynamic elaboration
model described in the Ada Reference Manual is used, as though
the @option{-gnatE} switch had been specified on the command
line.  If the parameter is @code{Static}, then the default GNAT static
model is used.  This configuration pragma overrides the setting
of the command line.  For full details on the elaboration models
used by the GNAT compiler, see @ref{Elaboration Order Handling in GNAT,,,
gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
 
@node Pragma Eliminate
@unnumberedsec Pragma Eliminate
@cindex Elimination of unused subprograms
@findex Eliminate
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Eliminate ([Entity          =>] DEFINING_DESIGNATOR,
                  [Source_Location =>] STRING_LITERAL);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The string literal given for the source location is a string which
specifies the line number of the occurrence of the entity, using
the syntax for SOURCE_TRACE given below:
 
@smallexample @c ada
 SOURCE_TRACE     ::= SOURCE_REFERENCE [LBRACKET SOURCE_TRACE RBRACKET]
 
 LBRACKET         ::= [
 RBRACKET         ::= ]
 
 SOURCE_REFERENCE ::= FILE_NAME : LINE_NUMBER
 
 LINE_NUMBER      ::= DIGIT @{DIGIT@}
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Spaces around the colon in a @code{Source_Reference} are optional.
 
The @code{DEFINING_DESIGNATOR} matches the defining designator used in an
explicit subprogram declaration, where the @code{entity} name in this
designator appears on the source line specified by the source location.
 
The source trace that is given as the @code{Source_Location} shall obey the
following rules. The @code{FILE_NAME} is the short name (with no directory
information) of an Ada source file, given using exactly the required syntax
for the underlying file system (e.g. case is important if the underlying
operating system is case sensitive). @code{LINE_NUMBER} gives the line
number of the occurrence of the @code{entity}
as a decimal literal without an exponent or point. If an @code{entity} is not
declared in a generic instantiation (this includes generic subprogram
instances), the source trace includes only one source reference. If an entity
is declared inside a generic instantiation, its source trace (when parsing
from left to right) starts with the source location of the declaration of the
entity in the generic unit and ends with the source location of the
instantiation (it is given in square brackets). This approach is recursively
used in case of nested instantiations: the rightmost (nested most deeply in
square brackets) element of the source trace is the location of the outermost
instantiation, the next to left element is the location of the next (first
nested) instantiation in the code of the corresponding generic unit, and so
on, and the leftmost element (that is out of any square brackets) is the
location of the declaration of the entity to eliminate in a generic unit.
 
Note that the @code{Source_Location} argument specifies which of a set of
similarly named entities is being eliminated, dealing both with overloading,
and also appearence of the same entity name in different scopes.
 
This pragma indicates that the given entity is not used in the program to be
compiled and built. The effect of the pragma is to allow the compiler to
eliminate the code or data associated with the named entity. Any reference to
an eliminated entity causes a compile-time or link-time error.
 
The intention of pragma @code{Eliminate} is to allow a program to be compiled
in a system-independent manner, with unused entities eliminated, without
needing to modify the source text. Normally the required set of
@code{Eliminate} pragmas is constructed automatically using the gnatelim tool.
 
Any source file change that removes, splits, or
adds lines may make the set of Eliminate pragmas invalid because their
@code{Source_Location} argument values may get out of date.
 
Pragma @code{Eliminate} may be used where the referenced entity is a dispatching
operation. In this case all the subprograms to which the given operation can
dispatch are considered to be unused (are never called as a result of a direct
or a dispatching call).
 
@node Pragma Export_Exception
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Exception
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Export_Exception
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Exception (
     [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Form     =>] Ada | VMS]
  [, [Code     =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.  It
causes the specified exception to be propagated outside of the Ada program,
so that it can be handled by programs written in other OpenVMS languages.
This pragma establishes an external name for an Ada exception and makes the
name available to the OpenVMS Linker as a global symbol.  For further details
on this pragma, see the
DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 13.9a3.2.
 
@node Pragma Export_Function
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Function
@cindex Argument passing mechanisms
@findex Export_Function
 
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Function (
     [Internal         =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External         =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types  =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Result_Type      =>] result_SUBTYPE_MARK]
  [, [Mechanism        =>] MECHANISM]
  [, [Result_Mechanism =>] MECHANISM_NAME]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
| ""
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Use this pragma to make a function externally callable and optionally
provide information on mechanisms to be used for passing parameter and
result values.  We recommend, for the purposes of improving portability,
this pragma always be used in conjunction with a separate pragma
@code{Export}, which must precede the pragma @code{Export_Function}.
GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is usually
not what is wanted, so it is usually appropriate to use this
pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
Pragma @code{Export_Function}
(and @code{Export}, if present) must appear in the same declarative
region as the function to which they apply.
 
@var{internal_name} must uniquely designate the function to which the
pragma applies.  If more than one function name exists of this name in
the declarative part you must use the @code{Parameter_Types} and
@code{Result_Type} parameters is mandatory to achieve the required
unique designation.  @var{subtype_mark}s in these parameters must
exactly match the subtypes in the corresponding function specification,
using positional notation to match parameters with subtype marks.
The form with an @code{'Access} attribute can be used to match an
anonymous access parameter.
 
@cindex OpenVMS
@cindex Passing by descriptor
Passing by descriptor is supported only on the OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
The default behavior for Export_Function is to accept either 64bit or
32bit descriptors unless short_descriptor is specified, then only 32bit
descriptors are accepted.
 
@cindex Suppressing external name
Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
 
@node Pragma Export_Object
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Object
@findex Export_Object
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Object
      [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
   [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
   [, [Size     =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma designates an object as exported, and apart from the
extended rules for external symbols, is identical in effect to the use of
the normal @code{Export} pragma applied to an object.  You may use a
separate Export pragma (and you probably should from the point of view
of portability), but it is not required.  @var{Size} is syntax checked,
but otherwise ignored by GNAT@.
 
@node Pragma Export_Procedure
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Procedure
@findex Export_Procedure
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Procedure (
     [Internal        =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External        =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Mechanism       =>] MECHANISM]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
| ""
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical to @code{Export_Function} except that it
applies to a procedure rather than a function and the parameters
@code{Result_Type} and @code{Result_Mechanism} are not permitted.
GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is usually
not what is wanted, so it is usually appropriate to use this
pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
 
@cindex OpenVMS
@cindex Passing by descriptor
Passing by descriptor is supported only on the OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
The default behavior for Export_Procedure is to accept either 64bit or
32bit descriptors unless short_descriptor is specified, then only 32bit
descriptors are accepted.
 
@cindex Suppressing external name
Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
 
@node Pragma Export_Value
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Value
@findex Export_Value
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Value (
  [Value     =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION,
  [Link_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma serves to export a static integer value for external use.
The first argument specifies the value to be exported. The Link_Name
argument specifies the symbolic name to be associated with the integer
value. This pragma is useful for defining a named static value in Ada
that can be referenced in assembly language units to be linked with
the application. This pragma is currently supported only for the
AAMP target and is ignored for other targets.
 
@node Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure
@unnumberedsec Pragma Export_Valued_Procedure
@findex Export_Valued_Procedure
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Export_Valued_Procedure (
     [Internal        =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External        =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Mechanism       =>] MECHANISM]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
| ""
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical to @code{Export_Procedure} except that the
first parameter of @var{LOCAL_NAME}, which must be present, must be of
mode @code{OUT}, and externally the subprogram is treated as a function
with this parameter as the result of the function.  GNAT provides for
this capability to allow the use of @code{OUT} and @code{IN OUT}
parameters in interfacing to external functions (which are not permitted
in Ada functions).
GNAT does not require a separate pragma @code{Export}, but if none is
present, @code{Convention Ada} is assumed, which is almost certainly
not what is wanted since the whole point of this pragma is to interface
with foreign language functions, so it is usually appropriate to use this
pragma in conjunction with a @code{Export} or @code{Convention}
pragma that specifies the desired foreign convention.
 
@cindex OpenVMS
@cindex Passing by descriptor
Passing by descriptor is supported only on the OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
The default behavior for Export_Valued_Procedure is to accept either 64bit or
32bit descriptors unless short_descriptor is specified, then only 32bit
descriptors are accepted.
 
@cindex Suppressing external name
Special treatment is given if the EXTERNAL is an explicit null
string or a static string expressions that evaluates to the null
string. In this case, no external name is generated. This form
still allows the specification of parameter mechanisms.
 
@node Pragma Extend_System
@unnumberedsec Pragma Extend_System
@cindex @code{system}, extending
@cindex Dec Ada 83
@findex Extend_System
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Extend_System ([Name =>] IDENTIFIER);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used to provide backwards compatibility with other
implementations that extend the facilities of package @code{System}.  In
GNAT, @code{System} contains only the definitions that are present in
the Ada RM@.  However, other implementations, notably the DEC Ada 83
implementation, provide many extensions to package @code{System}.
 
For each such implementation accommodated by this pragma, GNAT provides a
package @code{Aux_@var{xxx}}, e.g.@: @code{Aux_DEC} for the DEC Ada 83
implementation, which provides the required additional definitions.  You
can use this package in two ways.  You can @code{with} it in the normal
way and access entities either by selection or using a @code{use}
clause.  In this case no special processing is required.
 
However, if existing code contains references such as
@code{System.@var{xxx}} where @var{xxx} is an entity in the extended
definitions provided in package @code{System}, you may use this pragma
to extend visibility in @code{System} in a non-standard way that
provides greater compatibility with the existing code.  Pragma
@code{Extend_System} is a configuration pragma whose single argument is
the name of the package containing the extended definition
(e.g.@: @code{Aux_DEC} for the DEC Ada case).  A unit compiled under
control of this pragma will be processed using special visibility
processing that looks in package @code{System.Aux_@var{xxx}} where
@code{Aux_@var{xxx}} is the pragma argument for any entity referenced in
package @code{System}, but not found in package @code{System}.
 
You can use this pragma either to access a predefined @code{System}
extension supplied with the compiler, for example @code{Aux_DEC} or
you can construct your own extension unit following the above
definition.  Note that such a package is a child of @code{System}
and thus is considered part of the implementation.  To compile
it you will have to use the appropriate switch for compiling
system units.
@xref{Top, @value{EDITION} User's Guide, About This Guide, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide},
for details.
 
@node Pragma Extensions_Allowed
@unnumberedsec Pragma Extensions_Allowed
@cindex Ada Extensions
@cindex GNAT Extensions
@findex Extensions_Allowed
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Extensions_Allowed (On | Off);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This configuration pragma enables or disables the implementation
extension mode (the use of Off as a parameter cancels the effect
of the @option{-gnatX} command switch).
 
In extension mode, the latest version of the Ada language is
implemented (currently Ada 2012), and in addition a small number
of GNAT specific extensions are recognized as follows:
 
@table @asis
@item Constrained attribute for generic objects
The @code{Constrained} attribute is permitted for objects of
generic types. The result indicates if the corresponding actual
is constrained.
 
@end table
 
@node Pragma External
@unnumberedsec Pragma External
@findex External
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma External (
  [   Convention    =>] convention_IDENTIFIER,
  [   Entity        =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]
  [, [Link_Name     =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical in syntax and semantics to pragma
@code{Export} as defined in the Ada Reference Manual.  It is
provided for compatibility with some Ada 83 compilers that
used this pragma for exactly the same purposes as pragma
@code{Export} before the latter was standardized.
 
@node Pragma External_Name_Casing
@unnumberedsec Pragma External_Name_Casing
@cindex Dec Ada 83 casing compatibility
@cindex External Names, casing
@cindex Casing of External names
@findex External_Name_Casing
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma External_Name_Casing (
  Uppercase | Lowercase
  [, Uppercase | Lowercase | As_Is]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides control over the casing of external names associated
with Import and Export pragmas.  There are two cases to consider:
 
@table @asis
@item Implicit external names
Implicit external names are derived from identifiers.  The most common case
arises when a standard Ada Import or Export pragma is used with only two
arguments, as in:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   pragma Import (C, C_Routine);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Since Ada is a case-insensitive language, the spelling of the identifier in
the Ada source program does not provide any information on the desired
casing of the external name, and so a convention is needed.  In GNAT the
default treatment is that such names are converted to all lower case
letters.  This corresponds to the normal C style in many environments.
The first argument of pragma @code{External_Name_Casing} can be used to
control this treatment.  If @code{Uppercase} is specified, then the name
will be forced to all uppercase letters.  If @code{Lowercase} is specified,
then the normal default of all lower case letters will be used.
 
This same implicit treatment is also used in the case of extended DEC Ada 83
compatible Import and Export pragmas where an external name is explicitly
specified using an identifier rather than a string.
 
@item Explicit external names
Explicit external names are given as string literals.  The most common case
arises when a standard Ada Import or Export pragma is used with three
arguments, as in:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import (C, C_Routine, "C_routine");
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In this case, the string literal normally provides the exact casing required
for the external name.  The second argument of pragma
@code{External_Name_Casing} may be used to modify this behavior.
If @code{Uppercase} is specified, then the name
will be forced to all uppercase letters.  If @code{Lowercase} is specified,
then the name will be forced to all lowercase letters.  A specification of
@code{As_Is} provides the normal default behavior in which the casing is
taken from the string provided.
@end table
 
@noindent
This pragma may appear anywhere that a pragma is valid.  In particular, it
can be used as a configuration pragma in the @file{gnat.adc} file, in which
case it applies to all subsequent compilations, or it can be used as a program
unit pragma, in which case it only applies to the current unit, or it can
be used more locally to control individual Import/Export pragmas.
 
It is primarily intended for use with OpenVMS systems, where many
compilers convert all symbols to upper case by default.  For interfacing to
such compilers (e.g.@: the DEC C compiler), it may be convenient to use
the pragma:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma External_Name_Casing (Uppercase, Uppercase);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
to enforce the upper casing of all external symbols.
 
@node Pragma Fast_Math
@unnumberedsec Pragma Fast_Math
@findex Fast_Math
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Fast_Math;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma which activates a mode in which speed is
considered more important for floating-point operations than absolutely
accurate adherence to the requirements of the standard. Currently the
following operations are affected:
 
@table @asis
@item Complex Multiplication
The normal simple formula for complex multiplication can result in intermediate
overflows for numbers near the end of the range. The Ada standard requires that
this situation be detected and corrected by scaling, but in Fast_Math mode such
cases will simply result in overflow. Note that to take advantage of this you
must instantiate your own version of @code{Ada.Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types}
under control of the pragma, rather than use the preinstantiated versions.
@end table
 
@node Pragma Favor_Top_Level
@unnumberedsec Pragma Favor_Top_Level
@findex Favor_Top_Level
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Favor_Top_Level (type_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The named type must be an access-to-subprogram type. This pragma is an
efficiency hint to the compiler, regarding the use of 'Access or
'Unrestricted_Access on nested (non-library-level) subprograms. The
pragma means that nested subprograms are not used with this type, or
are rare, so that the generated code should be efficient in the
top-level case. When this pragma is used, dynamically generated
trampolines may be used on some targets for nested subprograms.
See also the No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code restriction.
 
@node Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only
@unnumberedsec Pragma Finalize_Storage_Only
@findex Finalize_Storage_Only
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Finalize_Storage_Only (first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma allows the compiler not to emit a Finalize call for objects
defined at the library level.  This is mostly useful for types where
finalization is only used to deal with storage reclamation since in most
environments it is not necessary to reclaim memory just before terminating
execution, hence the name.
 
@node Pragma Float_Representation
@unnumberedsec Pragma Float_Representation
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Float_Representation
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Float_Representation (FLOAT_REP[, float_type_LOCAL_NAME]);
 
FLOAT_REP ::= VAX_Float | IEEE_Float
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In the one argument form, this pragma is a configuration pragma which
allows control over the internal representation chosen for the predefined
floating point types declared in the packages @code{Standard} and
@code{System}. On all systems other than OpenVMS, the argument must
be @code{IEEE_Float} and the pragma has no effect. On OpenVMS, the
argument may be @code{VAX_Float} to specify the use of the VAX float
format for the floating-point types in Standard. This requires that
the standard runtime libraries be recompiled.
 
The two argument form specifies the representation to be used for
the specified floating-point type. On all systems other than OpenVMS,
the argument must
be @code{IEEE_Float} and the pragma has no effect. On OpenVMS, the
argument may be @code{VAX_Float} to specify the use of the VAX float
format, as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
For digits values up to 6, F float format will be used.
@item
For digits values from 7 to 9, D float format will be used.
@item
For digits values from 10 to 15, G float format will be used.
@item
Digits values above 15 are not allowed.
@end itemize
 
@node Pragma Ident
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ident
@findex Ident
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ident (static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides a string identification in the generated object file,
if the system supports the concept of this kind of identification string.
This pragma is allowed only in the outermost declarative part or
declarative items of a compilation unit. If more than one @code{Ident}
pragma is given, only the last one processed is effective.
@cindex OpenVMS
On OpenVMS systems, the effect of the pragma is identical to the effect of
the DEC Ada 83 pragma of the same name. Note that in DEC Ada 83, the
maximum allowed length is 31 characters, so if it is important to
maintain compatibility with this compiler, you should obey this length
limit.
 
@node Pragma Implemented
@unnumberedsec Pragma Implemented
@findex Implemented
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Implemented (procedure_LOCAL_NAME, implementation_kind);
 
implementation_kind ::= By_Entry | By_Protected_Procedure | By_Any
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is an Ada 2012 representation pragma which applies to protected, task
and synchronized interface primitives. The use of pragma Implemented provides
a way to impose a static requirement on the overriding operation by adhering
to one of the three implementation kids: entry, protected procedure or any of
the above.
 
@smallexample @c ada
type Synch_Iface is synchronized interface;
procedure Prim_Op (Obj : in out Iface) is abstract;
pragma Implemented (Prim_Op, By_Protected_Procedure);
 
protected type Prot_1 is new Synch_Iface with
   procedure Prim_Op;  --  Legal
end Prot_1;
 
protected type Prot_2 is new Synch_Iface with
   entry Prim_Op;      --  Illegal
end Prot_2;
 
task type Task_Typ is new Synch_Iface with
   entry Prim_Op;      --  Illegal
end Task_Typ;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
When applied to the procedure_or_entry_NAME of a requeue statement, pragma
Implemented determines the runtime behavior of the requeue. Implementation kind
By_Entry guarantees that the action of requeueing will proceed from an entry to
another entry. Implementation kind By_Protected_Procedure transforms the
requeue into a dispatching call, thus eliminating the chance of blocking. Kind
By_Any shares the behavior of By_Entry and By_Protected_Procedure depending on
the target's overriding subprogram kind.
 
@node Pragma Implicit_Packing
@unnumberedsec Pragma Implicit_Packing
@findex Implicit_Packing
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Implicit_Packing;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma that requests implicit packing for packed
arrays for which a size clause is given but no explicit pragma Pack or
specification of Component_Size is present. It also applies to records
where no record representation clause is present. Consider this example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type R is array (0 .. 7) of Boolean;
for R'Size use 8;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In accordance with the recommendation in the RM (RM 13.3(53)), a Size clause
does not change the layout of a composite object. So the Size clause in the
above example is normally rejected, since the default layout of the array uses
8-bit components, and thus the array requires a minimum of 64 bits.
 
If this declaration is compiled in a region of code covered by an occurrence
of the configuration pragma Implicit_Packing, then the Size clause in this
and similar examples will cause implicit packing and thus be accepted. For
this implicit packing to occur, the type in question must be an array of small
components whose size is known at compile time, and the Size clause must
specify the exact size that corresponds to the length of the array multiplied
by the size in bits of the component type.
@cindex Array packing
 
Similarly, the following example shows the use in the record case
 
@smallexample @c ada
type r is record
   a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h : boolean;
   chr                    : character;
end record;
for r'size use 16;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Without a pragma Pack, each Boolean field requires 8 bits, so the
minimum size is 72 bits, but with a pragma Pack, 16 bits would be
sufficient. The use of pragma Implicit_Packing allows this record
declaration to compile without an explicit pragma Pack.
@node Pragma Import_Exception
@unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Exception
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Import_Exception
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import_Exception (
     [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Form     =>] Ada | VMS]
  [, [Code     =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.
It allows OpenVMS conditions (for example, from OpenVMS system services or
other OpenVMS languages) to be propagated to Ada programs as Ada exceptions.
The pragma specifies that the exception associated with an exception
declaration in an Ada program be defined externally (in non-Ada code).
For further details on this pragma, see the
DEC Ada Language Reference Manual, section 13.9a.3.1.
 
@node Pragma Import_Function
@unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Function
@findex Import_Function
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import_Function (
     [Internal                 =>] LOCAL_NAME,
  [, [External                 =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types          =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Result_Type              =>] SUBTYPE_MARK]
  [, [Mechanism                =>] MECHANISM]
  [, [Result_Mechanism         =>] MECHANISM_NAME]
  [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used in conjunction with a pragma @code{Import} to
specify additional information for an imported function.  The pragma
@code{Import} (or equivalent pragma @code{Interface}) must precede the
@code{Import_Function} pragma and both must appear in the same
declarative part as the function specification.
 
The @var{Internal} argument must uniquely designate
the function to which the
pragma applies.  If more than one function name exists of this name in
the declarative part you must use the @code{Parameter_Types} and
@var{Result_Type} parameters to achieve the required unique
designation.  Subtype marks in these parameters must exactly match the
subtypes in the corresponding function specification, using positional
notation to match parameters with subtype marks.
The form with an @code{'Access} attribute can be used to match an
anonymous access parameter.
 
You may optionally use the @var{Mechanism} and @var{Result_Mechanism}
parameters to specify passing mechanisms for the
parameters and result.  If you specify a single mechanism name, it
applies to all parameters.  Otherwise you may specify a mechanism on a
parameter by parameter basis using either positional or named
notation.  If the mechanism is not specified, the default mechanism
is used.
 
@cindex OpenVMS
@cindex Passing by descriptor
Passing by descriptor is supported only on the OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
The default behavior for Import_Function is to pass a 64bit descriptor
unless short_descriptor is specified, then a 32bit descriptor is passed.
 
@code{First_Optional_Parameter} applies only to OpenVMS ports of GNAT@.
It specifies that the designated parameter and all following parameters
are optional, meaning that they are not passed at the generated code
level (this is distinct from the notion of optional parameters in Ada
where the parameters are passed anyway with the designated optional
parameters).  All optional parameters must be of mode @code{IN} and have
default parameter values that are either known at compile time
expressions, or uses of the @code{'Null_Parameter} attribute.
 
@node Pragma Import_Object
@unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Object
@findex Import_Object
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import_Object
     [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Size     =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma designates an object as imported, and apart from the
extended rules for external symbols, is identical in effect to the use of
the normal @code{Import} pragma applied to an object.  Unlike the
subprogram case, you need not use a separate @code{Import} pragma,
although you may do so (and probably should do so from a portability
point of view).  @var{size} is syntax checked, but otherwise ignored by
GNAT@.
 
@node Pragma Import_Procedure
@unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Procedure
@findex Import_Procedure
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import_Procedure (
     [Internal                 =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External                 =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types          =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Mechanism                =>] MECHANISM]
  [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical to @code{Import_Function} except that it
applies to a procedure rather than a function and the parameters
@code{Result_Type} and @code{Result_Mechanism} are not permitted.
 
@node Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure
@unnumberedsec Pragma Import_Valued_Procedure
@findex Import_Valued_Procedure
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Import_Valued_Procedure (
     [Internal                 =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External                 =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Parameter_Types          =>] PARAMETER_TYPES]
  [, [Mechanism                =>] MECHANISM]
  [, [First_Optional_Parameter =>] IDENTIFIER]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
 
PARAMETER_TYPES ::=
  null
| TYPE_DESIGNATOR @{, TYPE_DESIGNATOR@}
 
TYPE_DESIGNATOR ::=
  subtype_NAME
| subtype_Name ' Access
 
MECHANISM ::=
  MECHANISM_NAME
| (MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION @{, MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION@})
 
MECHANISM_ASSOCIATION ::=
  [formal_parameter_NAME =>] MECHANISM_NAME
 
MECHANISM_NAME ::=
  Value
| Reference
| Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
| Short_Descriptor [([Class =>] CLASS_NAME)]
 
CLASS_NAME ::= ubs | ubsb | uba | s | sb | a | nca
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical to @code{Import_Procedure} except that the
first parameter of @var{LOCAL_NAME}, which must be present, must be of
mode @code{OUT}, and externally the subprogram is treated as a function
with this parameter as the result of the function.  The purpose of this
capability is to allow the use of @code{OUT} and @code{IN OUT}
parameters in interfacing to external functions (which are not permitted
in Ada functions).  You may optionally use the @code{Mechanism}
parameters to specify passing mechanisms for the parameters.
If you specify a single mechanism name, it applies to all parameters.
Otherwise you may specify a mechanism on a parameter by parameter
basis using either positional or named notation.  If the mechanism is not
specified, the default mechanism is used.
 
Note that it is important to use this pragma in conjunction with a separate
pragma Import that specifies the desired convention, since otherwise the
default convention is Ada, which is almost certainly not what is required.
 
@node Pragma Initialize_Scalars
@unnumberedsec Pragma Initialize_Scalars
@findex Initialize_Scalars
@cindex debugging with Initialize_Scalars
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Initialize_Scalars;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is similar to @code{Normalize_Scalars} conceptually but has
two important differences.  First, there is no requirement for the pragma
to be used uniformly in all units of a partition, in particular, it is fine
to use this just for some or all of the application units of a partition,
without needing to recompile the run-time library.
 
In the case where some units are compiled with the pragma, and some without,
then a declaration of a variable where the type is defined in package
Standard or is locally declared will always be subject to initialization,
as will any declaration of a scalar variable.  For composite variables,
whether the variable is initialized may also depend on whether the package
in which the type of the variable is declared is compiled with the pragma.
 
The other important difference is that you can control the value used
for initializing scalar objects.  At bind time, you can select several
options for initialization. You can
initialize with invalid values (similar to Normalize_Scalars, though for
Initialize_Scalars it is not always possible to determine the invalid
values in complex cases like signed component fields with non-standard
sizes). You can also initialize with high or
low values, or with a specified bit pattern.  See the users guide for binder
options for specifying these cases.
 
This means that you can compile a program, and then without having to
recompile the program, you can run it with different values being used
for initializing otherwise uninitialized values, to test if your program
behavior depends on the choice.  Of course the behavior should not change,
and if it does, then most likely you have an erroneous reference to an
uninitialized value.
 
It is even possible to change the value at execution time eliminating even
the need to rebind with a different switch using an environment variable.
See the GNAT users guide for details.
 
Note that pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars} is particularly useful in
conjunction with the enhanced validity checking that is now provided
in GNAT, which checks for invalid values under more conditions.
Using this feature (see description of the @option{-gnatV} flag in the
users guide) in conjunction with pragma @code{Initialize_Scalars}
provides a powerful new tool to assist in the detection of problems
caused by uninitialized variables.
 
Note: the use of @code{Initialize_Scalars} has a fairly extensive
effect on the generated code. This may cause your code to be
substantially larger. It may also cause an increase in the amount
of stack required, so it is probably a good idea to turn on stack
checking (see description of stack checking in the GNAT users guide)
when using this pragma.
 
@node Pragma Inline_Always
@unnumberedsec Pragma Inline_Always
@findex Inline_Always
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Inline_Always (NAME [, NAME]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Similar to pragma @code{Inline} except that inlining is not subject to
the use of option @option{-gnatn} and the inlining happens regardless of
whether this option is used.
 
@node Pragma Inline_Generic
@unnumberedsec Pragma Inline_Generic
@findex Inline_Generic
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Inline_Generic (generic_package_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is implemented for compatibility with DEC Ada 83 and is recognized,
but otherwise ignored, by GNAT@.  All generic instantiations are inlined
by default when using GNAT@.
 
@node Pragma Interface
@unnumberedsec Pragma Interface
@findex Interface
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Interface (
     [Convention    =>] convention_identifier,
     [Entity        =>] local_NAME
  [, [External_Name =>] static_string_expression]
  [, [Link_Name     =>] static_string_expression]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical in syntax and semantics to
the standard Ada pragma @code{Import}.  It is provided for compatibility
with Ada 83.  The definition is upwards compatible both with pragma
@code{Interface} as defined in the Ada 83 Reference Manual, and also
with some extended implementations of this pragma in certain Ada 83
implementations.  The only difference between pragma @code{Interface}
and pragma @code{Import} is that there is special circuitry to allow
both pragmas to appear for the same subprogram entity (normally it
is illegal to have multiple @code{Import} pragmas. This is useful in
maintaining Ada 83/Ada 95 compatibility and is compatible with other
Ada 83 compilers.
 
@node Pragma Interface_Name
@unnumberedsec Pragma Interface_Name
@findex Interface_Name
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Interface_Name (
     [Entity        =>] LOCAL_NAME
  [, [External_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION]
  [, [Link_Name     =>] static_string_EXPRESSION]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides an alternative way of specifying the interface name
for an interfaced subprogram, and is provided for compatibility with Ada
83 compilers that use the pragma for this purpose.  You must provide at
least one of @var{External_Name} or @var{Link_Name}.
 
@node Pragma Interrupt_Handler
@unnumberedsec Pragma Interrupt_Handler
@findex Interrupt_Handler
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Interrupt_Handler (procedure_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This program unit pragma is supported for parameterless protected procedures
as described in Annex C of the Ada Reference Manual. On the AAMP target
the pragma can also be specified for nonprotected parameterless procedures
that are declared at the library level (which includes procedures
declared at the top level of a library package). In the case of AAMP,
when this pragma is applied to a nonprotected procedure, the instruction
@code{IERET} is generated for returns from the procedure, enabling
maskable interrupts, in place of the normal return instruction.
 
@node Pragma Interrupt_State
@unnumberedsec Pragma Interrupt_State
@findex Interrupt_State
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Interrupt_State
 ([Name  =>] value,
  [State =>] SYSTEM | RUNTIME | USER);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Normally certain interrupts are reserved to the implementation.  Any attempt
to attach an interrupt causes Program_Error to be raised, as described in
RM C.3.2(22).  A typical example is the @code{SIGINT} interrupt used in
many systems for an @kbd{Ctrl-C} interrupt.  Normally this interrupt is
reserved to the implementation, so that @kbd{Ctrl-C} can be used to
interrupt execution.  Additionally, signals such as @code{SIGSEGV},
@code{SIGABRT}, @code{SIGFPE} and @code{SIGILL} are often mapped to specific
Ada exceptions, or used to implement run-time functions such as the
@code{abort} statement and stack overflow checking.
 
Pragma @code{Interrupt_State} provides a general mechanism for overriding
such uses of interrupts.  It subsumes the functionality of pragma
@code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts}.  Pragma @code{Interrupt_State} is not
available on Windows or VMS.  On all other platforms than VxWorks,
it applies to signals; on VxWorks, it applies to vectored hardware interrupts
and may be used to mark interrupts required by the board support package
as reserved.
 
Interrupts can be in one of three states:
@itemize @bullet
@item System
 
The interrupt is reserved (no Ada handler can be installed), and the
Ada run-time may not install a handler. As a result you are guaranteed
standard system default action if this interrupt is raised.
 
@item Runtime
 
The interrupt is reserved (no Ada handler can be installed). The run time
is allowed to install a handler for internal control purposes, but is
not required to do so.
 
@item User
 
The interrupt is unreserved.  The user may install a handler to provide
some other action.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
These states are the allowed values of the @code{State} parameter of the
pragma.  The @code{Name} parameter is a value of the type
@code{Ada.Interrupts.Interrupt_ID}.  Typically, it is a name declared in
@code{Ada.Interrupts.Names}.
 
This is a configuration pragma, and the binder will check that there
are no inconsistencies between different units in a partition in how a
given interrupt is specified. It may appear anywhere a pragma is legal.
 
The effect is to move the interrupt to the specified state.
 
By declaring interrupts to be SYSTEM, you guarantee the standard system
action, such as a core dump.
 
By declaring interrupts to be USER, you guarantee that you can install
a handler.
 
Note that certain signals on many operating systems cannot be caught and
handled by applications.  In such cases, the pragma is ignored.  See the
operating system documentation, or the value of the array @code{Reserved}
declared in the spec of package @code{System.OS_Interface}.
 
Overriding the default state of signals used by the Ada runtime may interfere
with an application's runtime behavior in the cases of the synchronous signals,
and in the case of the signal used to implement the @code{abort} statement.
 
@node Pragma Invariant
@unnumberedsec Pragma Invariant
@findex Invariant
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Invariant
  ([Entity =>]    private_type_LOCAL_NAME,
   [Check  =>]    EXPRESSION
   [,[Message =>] String_Expression]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides exactly the same capabilities as the Invariant aspect
defined in AI05-0146-1, and in the Ada 2012 Reference Manual. The Invariant
aspect is fully implemented in Ada 2012 mode, but since it requires the use
of the aspect syntax, which is not available exception in 2012 mode, it is
not possible to use the Invariant aspect in earlier versions of Ada. However
the Invariant pragma may be used in any version of Ada.
 
The pragma must appear within the visible part of the package specification,
after the type to which its Entity argument appears. As with the Invariant
aspect, the Check expression is not analyzed until the end of the visible
part of the package, so it may contain forward references. The Message
argument, if present, provides the exception message used if the invariant
is violated. If no Message parameter is provided, a default message that
identifies the line on which the pragma appears is used.
 
It is permissible to have multiple Invariants for the same type entity, in
which case they are and'ed together. It is permissible to use this pragma
in Ada 2012 mode, but you cannot have both an invariant aspect and an
invariant pragma for the same entity.
 
For further details on the use of this pragma, see the Ada 2012 documentation
of the Invariant aspect.
 
@node Pragma Keep_Names
@unnumberedsec Pragma Keep_Names
@findex Keep_Names
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Keep_Names ([On =>] enumeration_first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The @var{LOCAL_NAME} argument
must refer to an enumeration first subtype
in the current declarative part. The effect is to retain the enumeration
literal names for use by @code{Image} and @code{Value} even if a global
@code{Discard_Names} pragma applies. This is useful when you want to
generally suppress enumeration literal names and for example you therefore
use a @code{Discard_Names} pragma in the @file{gnat.adc} file, but you
want to retain the names for specific enumeration types.
 
@node Pragma License
@unnumberedsec Pragma License
@findex License
@cindex License checking
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma License (Unrestricted | GPL | Modified_GPL | Restricted);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is provided to allow automated checking for appropriate license
conditions with respect to the standard and modified GPL@.  A pragma
@code{License}, which is a configuration pragma that typically appears at
the start of a source file or in a separate @file{gnat.adc} file, specifies
the licensing conditions of a unit as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item Unrestricted
This is used for a unit that can be freely used with no license restrictions.
Examples of such units are public domain units, and units from the Ada
Reference Manual.
 
@item GPL
This is used for a unit that is licensed under the unmodified GPL, and which
therefore cannot be @code{with}'ed by a restricted unit.
 
@item Modified_GPL
This is used for a unit licensed under the GNAT modified GPL that includes
a special exception paragraph that specifically permits the inclusion of
the unit in programs without requiring the entire program to be released
under the GPL@.
 
@item Restricted
This is used for a unit that is restricted in that it is not permitted to
depend on units that are licensed under the GPL@.  Typical examples are
proprietary code that is to be released under more restrictive license
conditions.  Note that restricted units are permitted to @code{with} units
which are licensed under the modified GPL (this is the whole point of the
modified GPL).
 
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Normally a unit with no @code{License} pragma is considered to have an
unknown license, and no checking is done.  However, standard GNAT headers
are recognized, and license information is derived from them as follows.
 
@itemize @bullet
 
A GNAT license header starts with a line containing 78 hyphens.  The following
comment text is searched for the appearance of any of the following strings.
 
If the string ``GNU General Public License'' is found, then the unit is assumed
to have GPL license, unless the string ``As a special exception'' follows, in
which case the license is assumed to be modified GPL@.
 
If one of the strings
``This specification is adapted from the Ada Semantic Interface'' or
``This specification is derived from the Ada Reference Manual'' is found
then the unit is assumed to be unrestricted.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
These default actions means that a program with a restricted license pragma
will automatically get warnings if a GPL unit is inappropriately
@code{with}'ed.  For example, the program:
 
@smallexample @c ada
with Sem_Ch3;
with GNAT.Sockets;
procedure Secret_Stuff is
  @dots{}
end Secret_Stuff
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
if compiled with pragma @code{License} (@code{Restricted}) in a
@file{gnat.adc} file will generate the warning:
 
@smallexample
1.  with Sem_Ch3;
        |
   >>> license of withed unit "Sem_Ch3" is incompatible
 
2.  with GNAT.Sockets;
3.  procedure Secret_Stuff is
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Here we get a warning on @code{Sem_Ch3} since it is part of the GNAT
compiler and is licensed under the
GPL, but no warning for @code{GNAT.Sockets} which is part of the GNAT
run time, and is therefore licensed under the modified GPL@.
 
@node Pragma Link_With
@unnumberedsec Pragma Link_With
@findex Link_With
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Link_With (static_string_EXPRESSION @{,static_string_EXPRESSION@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is provided for compatibility with certain Ada 83 compilers.
It has exactly the same effect as pragma @code{Linker_Options} except
that spaces occurring within one of the string expressions are treated
as separators. For example, in the following case:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Link_With ("-labc -ldef");
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
results in passing the strings @code{-labc} and @code{-ldef} as two
separate arguments to the linker. In addition pragma Link_With allows
multiple arguments, with the same effect as successive pragmas.
 
@node Pragma Linker_Alias
@unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Alias
@findex Linker_Alias
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Alias (
  [Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME,
  [Target =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{LOCAL_NAME} must refer to an object that is declared at the library
level. This pragma establishes the given entity as a linker alias for the
given target. It is equivalent to @code{__attribute__((alias))} in GNU C
and causes @var{LOCAL_NAME} to be emitted as an alias for the symbol
@var{static_string_EXPRESSION} in the object file, that is to say no space
is reserved for @var{LOCAL_NAME} by the assembler and it will be resolved
to the same address as @var{static_string_EXPRESSION} by the linker.
 
The actual linker name for the target must be used (e.g.@: the fully
encoded name with qualification in Ada, or the mangled name in C++),
or it must be declared using the C convention with @code{pragma Import}
or @code{pragma Export}.
 
Not all target machines support this pragma. On some of them it is accepted
only if @code{pragma Weak_External} has been applied to @var{LOCAL_NAME}.
 
@smallexample @c ada
--  Example of the use of pragma Linker_Alias
 
package p is
  i : Integer := 1;
  pragma Export (C, i);
 
  new_name_for_i : Integer;
  pragma Linker_Alias (new_name_for_i, "i");
end p;
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Linker_Constructor
@unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Constructor
@findex Linker_Constructor
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Constructor (procedure_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{procedure_LOCAL_NAME} must refer to a parameterless procedure that
is declared at the library level. A procedure to which this pragma is
applied will be treated as an initialization routine by the linker.
It is equivalent to @code{__attribute__((constructor))} in GNU C and
causes @var{procedure_LOCAL_NAME} to be invoked before the entry point
of the executable is called (or immediately after the shared library is
loaded if the procedure is linked in a shared library), in particular
before the Ada run-time environment is set up.
 
Because of these specific contexts, the set of operations such a procedure
can perform is very limited and the type of objects it can manipulate is
essentially restricted to the elementary types. In particular, it must only
contain code to which pragma Restrictions (No_Elaboration_Code) applies.
 
This pragma is used by GNAT to implement auto-initialization of shared Stand
Alone Libraries, which provides a related capability without the restrictions
listed above. Where possible, the use of Stand Alone Libraries is preferable
to the use of this pragma.
 
@node Pragma Linker_Destructor
@unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Destructor
@findex Linker_Destructor
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Destructor (procedure_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{procedure_LOCAL_NAME} must refer to a parameterless procedure that
is declared at the library level. A procedure to which this pragma is
applied will be treated as a finalization routine by the linker.
It is equivalent to @code{__attribute__((destructor))} in GNU C and
causes @var{procedure_LOCAL_NAME} to be invoked after the entry point
of the executable has exited (or immediately before the shared library
is unloaded if the procedure is linked in a shared library), in particular
after the Ada run-time environment is shut down.
 
See @code{pragma Linker_Constructor} for the set of restrictions that apply
because of these specific contexts.
 
@node Pragma Linker_Section
@unnumberedsec Pragma Linker_Section
@findex Linker_Section
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Section (
  [Entity  =>] LOCAL_NAME,
  [Section =>] static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{LOCAL_NAME} must refer to an object that is declared at the library
level. This pragma specifies the name of the linker section for the given
entity. It is equivalent to @code{__attribute__((section))} in GNU C and
causes @var{LOCAL_NAME} to be placed in the @var{static_string_EXPRESSION}
section of the executable (assuming the linker doesn't rename the section).
 
The compiler normally places library-level objects in standard sections
depending on their type: procedures and functions generally go in the
@code{.text} section, initialized variables in the @code{.data} section
and uninitialized variables in the @code{.bss} section.
 
Other, special sections may exist on given target machines to map special
hardware, for example I/O ports or flash memory. This pragma is a means to
defer the final layout of the executable to the linker, thus fully working
at the symbolic level with the compiler.
 
Some file formats do not support arbitrary sections so not all target
machines support this pragma. The use of this pragma may cause a program
execution to be erroneous if it is used to place an entity into an
inappropriate section (e.g.@: a modified variable into the @code{.text}
section). See also @code{pragma Persistent_BSS}.
 
@smallexample @c ada
--  Example of the use of pragma Linker_Section
 
package IO_Card is
  Port_A : Integer;
  pragma Volatile (Port_A);
  pragma Linker_Section (Port_A, ".bss.port_a");
 
  Port_B : Integer;
  pragma Volatile (Port_B);
  pragma Linker_Section (Port_B, ".bss.port_b");
end IO_Card;
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Long_Float
@unnumberedsec Pragma Long_Float
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Long_Float
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Long_Float (FLOAT_FORMAT);
 
FLOAT_FORMAT ::= D_Float | G_Float
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is implemented only in the OpenVMS implementation of GNAT@.
It allows control over the internal representation chosen for the predefined
type @code{Long_Float} and for floating point type representations with
@code{digits} specified in the range 7 through 15.
For further details on this pragma, see the
@cite{DEC Ada Language Reference Manual}, section 3.5.7b.  Note that to use
this pragma, the standard runtime libraries must be recompiled.
 
@node Pragma Machine_Attribute
@unnumberedsec Pragma Machine_Attribute
@findex Machine_Attribute
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Machine_Attribute (
     [Entity         =>] LOCAL_NAME,
     [Attribute_Name =>] static_string_EXPRESSION
  [, [Info           =>] static_EXPRESSION] );
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Machine-dependent attributes can be specified for types and/or
declarations.  This pragma is semantically equivalent to
@code{__attribute__((@var{attribute_name}))} (if @var{info} is not
specified) or @code{__attribute__((@var{attribute_name}(@var{info})))}
in GNU C, where @code{@var{attribute_name}} is recognized by the
compiler middle-end or the @code{TARGET_ATTRIBUTE_TABLE} machine
specific macro.  A string literal for the optional parameter @var{info}
is transformed into an identifier, which may make this pragma unusable
for some attributes.  @xref{Target Attributes,, Defining target-specific
uses of @code{__attribute__}, gccint, GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)
Internals}, further information.
 
@node Pragma Main
@unnumberedsec Pragma Main
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Main
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Main
 (MAIN_OPTION [, MAIN_OPTION]);
 
MAIN_OPTION ::=
  [Stack_Size              =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION
| [Task_Stack_Size_Default =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION
| [Time_Slicing_Enabled    =>] static_boolean_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is provided for compatibility with OpenVMS VAX Systems.  It has
no effect in GNAT, other than being syntax checked.
 
@node Pragma Main_Storage
@unnumberedsec Pragma Main_Storage
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex Main_Storage
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Main_Storage
  (MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION [, MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION]);
 
MAIN_STORAGE_OPTION ::=
  [WORKING_STORAGE =>] static_SIMPLE_EXPRESSION
| [TOP_GUARD       =>] static_SIMPLE_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is provided for compatibility with OpenVMS VAX Systems.  It has
no effect in GNAT, other than being syntax checked.  Note that the pragma
also has no effect in DEC Ada 83 for OpenVMS Alpha Systems.
 
@node Pragma No_Body
@unnumberedsec Pragma No_Body
@findex No_Body
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma No_Body;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
There are a number of cases in which a package spec does not require a body,
and in fact a body is not permitted. GNAT will not permit the spec to be
compiled if there is a body around. The pragma No_Body allows you to provide
a body file, even in a case where no body is allowed. The body file must
contain only comments and a single No_Body pragma. This is recognized by
the compiler as indicating that no body is logically present.
 
This is particularly useful during maintenance when a package is modified in
such a way that a body needed before is no longer needed. The provision of a
dummy body with a No_Body pragma ensures that there is no interference from
earlier versions of the package body.
 
@node Pragma No_Return
@unnumberedsec Pragma No_Return
@findex No_Return
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma No_Return (procedure_LOCAL_NAME @{, procedure_LOCAL_NAME@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Each @var{procedure_LOCAL_NAME} argument must refer to one or more procedure
declarations in the current declarative part.  A procedure to which this
pragma is applied may not contain any explicit @code{return} statements.
In addition, if the procedure contains any implicit returns from falling
off the end of a statement sequence, then execution of that implicit
return will cause Program_Error to be raised.
 
One use of this pragma is to identify procedures whose only purpose is to raise
an exception. Another use of this pragma is to suppress incorrect warnings
about missing returns in functions, where the last statement of a function
statement sequence is a call to such a procedure.
 
Note that in Ada 2005 mode, this pragma is part of the language, and is
identical in effect to the pragma as implemented in Ada 95 mode.
 
@node Pragma No_Strict_Aliasing
@unnumberedsec Pragma No_Strict_Aliasing
@findex No_Strict_Aliasing
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma No_Strict_Aliasing [([Entity =>] type_LOCAL_NAME)];
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{type_LOCAL_NAME} must refer to an access type
declaration in the current declarative part.  The effect is to inhibit
strict aliasing optimization for the given type.  The form with no
arguments is a configuration pragma which applies to all access types
declared in units to which the pragma applies. For a detailed
description of the strict aliasing optimization, and the situations
in which it must be suppressed, see @ref{Optimization and Strict
Aliasing,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
 
This pragma currently has no effects on access to unconstrained array types.
 
@node Pragma Normalize_Scalars
@unnumberedsec Pragma Normalize_Scalars
@findex Normalize_Scalars
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Normalize_Scalars;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a language defined pragma which is fully implemented in GNAT@.  The
effect is to cause all scalar objects that are not otherwise initialized
to be initialized.  The initial values are implementation dependent and
are as follows:
 
@table @code
@item Standard.Character
@noindent
Objects whose root type is Standard.Character are initialized to
Character'Last unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in which case
NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
one exists.
 
@item Standard.Wide_Character
@noindent
Objects whose root type is Standard.Wide_Character are initialized to
Wide_Character'Last unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in which case
NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
one exists.
 
@item Standard.Wide_Wide_Character
@noindent
Objects whose root type is Standard.Wide_Wide_Character are initialized to
the invalid value 16#FFFF_FFFF# unless the subtype range excludes NUL (in
which case NUL is used). This choice will always generate an invalid value if
one exists.
 
@item Integer types
@noindent
Objects of an integer type are treated differently depending on whether
negative values are present in the subtype. If no negative values are
present, then all one bits is used as the initial value except in the
special case where zero is excluded from the subtype, in which case
all zero bits are used. This choice will always generate an invalid
value if one exists.
 
For subtypes with negative values present, the largest negative number
is used, except in the unusual case where this largest negative number
is in the subtype, and the largest positive number is not, in which case
the largest positive value is used. This choice will always generate
an invalid value if one exists.
 
@item Floating-Point Types
Objects of all floating-point types are initialized to all 1-bits. For
standard IEEE format, this corresponds to a NaN (not a number) which is
indeed an invalid value.
 
@item Fixed-Point Types
Objects of all fixed-point types are treated as described above for integers,
with the rules applying to the underlying integer value used to represent
the fixed-point value.
 
@item Modular types
Objects of a modular type are initialized to all one bits, except in
the special case where zero is excluded from the subtype, in which
case all zero bits are used. This choice will always generate an
invalid value if one exists.
 
@item Enumeration types
Objects of an enumeration type are initialized to all one-bits, i.e.@: to
the value @code{2 ** typ'Size - 1} unless the subtype excludes the literal
whose Pos value is zero, in which case a code of zero is used. This choice
will always generate an invalid value if one exists.
 
@end table
 
@node Pragma Obsolescent
@unnumberedsec Pragma Obsolescent
@findex Obsolescent
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Obsolescent;
 
pragma Obsolescent (
  [Message =>] static_string_EXPRESSION
[,[Version =>] Ada_05]]);
 
pragma Obsolescent (
  [Entity  =>] NAME
[,[Message =>] static_string_EXPRESSION
[,[Version =>] Ada_05]] );
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma can occur immediately following a declaration of an entity,
including the case of a record component. If no Entity argument is present,
then this declaration is the one to which the pragma applies. If an Entity
parameter is present, it must either match the name of the entity in this
declaration, or alternatively, the pragma can immediately follow an enumeration
type declaration, where the Entity argument names one of the enumeration
literals.
 
This pragma is used to indicate that the named entity
is considered obsolescent and should not be used. Typically this is
used when an API must be modified by eventually removing or modifying
existing subprograms or other entities. The pragma can be used at an
intermediate stage when the entity is still present, but will be
removed later.
 
The effect of this pragma is to output a warning message on a reference to
an entity thus marked that the subprogram is obsolescent if the appropriate
warning option in the compiler is activated. If the Message parameter is
present, then a second warning message is given containing this text. In
addition, a reference to the entity is considered to be a violation of pragma
Restrictions (No_Obsolescent_Features).
 
This pragma can also be used as a program unit pragma for a package,
in which case the entity name is the name of the package, and the
pragma indicates that the entire package is considered
obsolescent. In this case a client @code{with}'ing such a package
violates the restriction, and the @code{with} statement is
flagged with warnings if the warning option is set.
 
If the Version parameter is present (which must be exactly
the identifier Ada_05, no other argument is allowed), then the
indication of obsolescence applies only when compiling in Ada 2005
mode. This is primarily intended for dealing with the situations
in the predefined library where subprograms or packages
have become defined as obsolescent in Ada 2005
(e.g.@: in Ada.Characters.Handling), but may be used anywhere.
 
The following examples show typical uses of this pragma:
 
@smallexample @c ada
package p is
   pragma Obsolescent (p, Message => "use pp instead of p");
end p;
 
package q is
   procedure q2;
   pragma Obsolescent ("use q2new instead");
 
   type R is new integer;
   pragma Obsolescent
     (Entity  => R,
      Message => "use RR in Ada 2005",
      Version => Ada_05);
 
   type M is record
      F1 : Integer;
      F2 : Integer;
      pragma Obsolescent;
      F3 : Integer;
   end record;
 
   type E is (a, bc, 'd', quack);
   pragma Obsolescent (Entity => bc)
   pragma Obsolescent (Entity => 'd')
 
   function "+"
     (a, b : character) return character;
   pragma Obsolescent (Entity => "+");
end;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note that, as for all pragmas, if you use a pragma argument identifier,
then all subsequent parameters must also use a pragma argument identifier.
So if you specify "Entity =>" for the Entity argument, and a Message
argument is present, it must be preceded by "Message =>".
 
@node Pragma Optimize_Alignment
@unnumberedsec Pragma Optimize_Alignment
@findex Optimize_Alignment
@cindex Alignment, default settings
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Optimize_Alignment (TIME | SPACE | OFF);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma which affects the choice of default alignments
for types where no alignment is explicitly specified. There is a time/space
trade-off in the selection of these values. Large alignments result in more
efficient code, at the expense of larger data space, since sizes have to be
increased to match these alignments. Smaller alignments save space, but the
access code is slower. The normal choice of default alignments (which is what
you get if you do not use this pragma, or if you use an argument of OFF),
tries to balance these two requirements.
 
Specifying SPACE causes smaller default alignments to be chosen in two cases.
First any packed record is given an alignment of 1. Second, if a size is given
for the type, then the alignment is chosen to avoid increasing this size. For
example, consider:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R is record
      X : Integer;
      Y : Character;
   end record;
 
   for R'Size use 5*8;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In the default mode, this type gets an alignment of 4, so that access to the
Integer field X are efficient. But this means that objects of the type end up
with a size of 8 bytes. This is a valid choice, since sizes of objects are
allowed to be bigger than the size of the type, but it can waste space if for
example fields of type R appear in an enclosing record. If the above type is
compiled in @code{Optimize_Alignment (Space)} mode, the alignment is set to 1.
 
Specifying TIME causes larger default alignments to be chosen in the case of
small types with sizes that are not a power of 2. For example, consider:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R is record
      A : Character;
      B : Character;
      C : Boolean;
   end record;
 
   pragma Pack (R);
   for R'Size use 17;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The default alignment for this record is normally 1, but if this type is
compiled in @code{Optimize_Alignment (Time)} mode, then the alignment is set
to 4, which wastes space for objects of the type, since they are now 4 bytes
long, but results in more efficient access when the whole record is referenced.
 
As noted above, this is a configuration pragma, and there is a requirement
that all units in a partition be compiled with a consistent setting of the
optimization setting. This would normally be achieved by use of a configuration
pragma file containing the appropriate setting. The exception to this rule is
that units with an explicit configuration pragma in the same file as the source
unit are excluded from the consistency check, as are all predefined units. The
latter are compiled by default in pragma Optimize_Alignment (Off) mode if no
pragma appears at the start of the file.
 
@node Pragma Ordered
@unnumberedsec Pragma Ordered
@findex Ordered
@findex pragma @code{Ordered}
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Ordered (enumeration_first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Most enumeration types are from a conceptual point of view unordered.
For example, consider:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type Color is (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
By Ada semantics @code{Blue > Red} and @code{Green > Blue},
but really these relations make no sense; the enumeration type merely
specifies a set of possible colors, and the order is unimportant.
 
For unordered enumeration types, it is generally a good idea if
clients avoid comparisons (other than equality or inequality) and
explicit ranges. (A @emph{client} is a unit where the type is referenced,
other than the unit where the type is declared, its body, and its subunits.)
For example, if code buried in some client says:
 
@smallexample @c ada
if Current_Color < Yellow then ...
if Current_Color in Blue .. Green then ...
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the client code is relying on the order, which is undesirable.
It makes the code hard to read and creates maintenance difficulties if
entries have to be added to the enumeration type. Instead,
the code in the client should list the possibilities, or an
appropriate subtype should be declared in the unit that declares
the original enumeration type. E.g., the following subtype could
be declared along with the type @code{Color}:
 
@smallexample @c ada
subtype RBG is Color range Red .. Green;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
and then the client could write:
 
@smallexample @c ada
if Current_Color in RBG then ...
if Current_Color = Blue or Current_Color = Green then ...
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
However, some enumeration types are legitimately ordered from a conceptual
point of view. For example, if you declare:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type Day is (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the ordering imposed by the language is reasonable, and
clients can depend on it, writing for example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
if D in Mon .. Fri then ...
if D < Wed then ...
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The pragma @option{Ordered} is provided to mark enumeration types that
are conceptually ordered, alerting the reader that clients may depend
on the ordering. GNAT provides a pragma to mark enumerations as ordered
rather than one to mark them as unordered, since in our experience,
the great majority of enumeration types are conceptually unordered.
 
The types @code{Boolean}, @code{Character}, @code{Wide_Character},
and @code{Wide_Wide_Character}
are considered to be ordered types, so each is declared with a
pragma @code{Ordered} in package @code{Standard}.
 
Normally pragma @code{Ordered} serves only as documentation and a guide for
coding standards, but GNAT provides a warning switch @option{-gnatw.u} that
requests warnings for inappropriate uses (comparisons and explicit
subranges) for unordered types. If this switch is used, then any
enumeration type not marked with pragma @code{Ordered} will be considered
as unordered, and will generate warnings for inappropriate uses.
 
For additional information please refer to the description of the
@option{-gnatw.u} switch in the @value{EDITION} User's Guide.
 
@node Pragma Passive
@unnumberedsec Pragma Passive
@findex Passive
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Passive [(Semaphore | No)];
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Syntax checked, but otherwise ignored by GNAT@.  This is recognized for
compatibility with DEC Ada 83 implementations, where it is used within a
task definition to request that a task be made passive.  If the argument
@code{Semaphore} is present, or the argument is omitted, then DEC Ada 83
treats the pragma as an assertion that the containing task is passive
and that optimization of context switch with this task is permitted and
desired.  If the argument @code{No} is present, the task must not be
optimized.  GNAT does not attempt to optimize any tasks in this manner
(since protected objects are available in place of passive tasks).
 
@node Pragma Persistent_BSS
@unnumberedsec Pragma Persistent_BSS
@findex Persistent_BSS
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Persistent_BSS [(LOCAL_NAME)]
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma allows selected objects to be placed in the @code{.persistent_bss}
section. On some targets the linker and loader provide for special
treatment of this section, allowing a program to be reloaded without
affecting the contents of this data (hence the name persistent).
 
There are two forms of usage. If an argument is given, it must be the
local name of a library level object, with no explicit initialization
and whose type is potentially persistent. If no argument is given, then
the pragma is a configuration pragma, and applies to all library level
objects with no explicit initialization of potentially persistent types.
 
A potentially persistent type is a scalar type, or a non-tagged,
non-discriminated record, all of whose components have no explicit
initialization and are themselves of a potentially persistent type,
or an array, all of whose constraints are static, and whose component
type is potentially persistent.
 
If this pragma is used on a target where this feature is not supported,
then the pragma will be ignored. See also @code{pragma Linker_Section}.
 
@node Pragma Polling
@unnumberedsec Pragma Polling
@findex Polling
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Polling (ON | OFF);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma controls the generation of polling code.  This is normally off.
If @code{pragma Polling (ON)} is used then periodic calls are generated to
the routine @code{Ada.Exceptions.Poll}.  This routine is a separate unit in the
runtime library, and can be found in file @file{a-excpol.adb}.
 
Pragma @code{Polling} can appear as a configuration pragma (for example it
can be placed in the @file{gnat.adc} file) to enable polling globally, or it
can be used in the statement or declaration sequence to control polling
more locally.
 
A call to the polling routine is generated at the start of every loop and
at the start of every subprogram call.  This guarantees that the @code{Poll}
routine is called frequently, and places an upper bound (determined by
the complexity of the code) on the period between two @code{Poll} calls.
 
The primary purpose of the polling interface is to enable asynchronous
aborts on targets that cannot otherwise support it (for example Windows
NT), but it may be used for any other purpose requiring periodic polling.
The standard version is null, and can be replaced by a user program.  This
will require re-compilation of the @code{Ada.Exceptions} package that can
be found in files @file{a-except.ads} and @file{a-except.adb}.
 
A standard alternative unit (in file @file{4wexcpol.adb} in the standard GNAT
distribution) is used to enable the asynchronous abort capability on
targets that do not normally support the capability.  The version of
@code{Poll} in this file makes a call to the appropriate runtime routine
to test for an abort condition.
 
Note that polling can also be enabled by use of the @option{-gnatP} switch.
@xref{Switches for gcc,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide}, for
details.
 
@node Pragma Postcondition
@unnumberedsec Pragma Postcondition
@cindex Postconditions
@cindex Checks, postconditions
@findex Postconditions
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Postcondition (
   [Check   =>] Boolean_Expression
 [,[Message =>] String_Expression]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The @code{Postcondition} pragma allows specification of automatic
postcondition checks for subprograms. These checks are similar to
assertions, but are automatically inserted just prior to the return
statements of the subprogram with which they are associated (including
implicit returns at the end of procedure bodies and associated
exception handlers).
 
In addition, the boolean expression which is the condition which
must be true may contain references to function'Result in the case
of a function to refer to the returned value.
 
@code{Postcondition} pragmas may appear either immediately following the
(separate) declaration of a subprogram, or at the start of the
declarations of a subprogram body. Only other pragmas may intervene
(that is appear between the subprogram declaration and its
postconditions, or appear before the postcondition in the
declaration sequence in a subprogram body). In the case of a
postcondition appearing after a subprogram declaration, the
formal arguments of the subprogram are visible, and can be
referenced in the postcondition expressions.
 
The postconditions are collected and automatically tested just
before any return (implicit or explicit) in the subprogram body.
A postcondition is only recognized if postconditions are active
at the time the pragma is encountered. The compiler switch @option{gnata}
turns on all postconditions by default, and pragma @code{Check_Policy}
with an identifier of @code{Postcondition} can also be used to
control whether postconditions are active.
 
The general approach is that postconditions are placed in the spec
if they represent functional aspects which make sense to the client.
For example we might have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   function Direction return Integer;
   pragma Postcondition
    (Direction'Result = +1
       or else
     Direction'Result = -1);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
which serves to document that the result must be +1 or -1, and
will test that this is the case at run time if postcondition
checking is active.
 
Postconditions within the subprogram body can be used to
check that some internal aspect of the implementation,
not visible to the client, is operating as expected.
For instance if a square root routine keeps an internal
counter of the number of times it is called, then we
might have the following postcondition:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   Sqrt_Calls : Natural := 0;
 
   function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float is
     pragma Postcondition
       (Sqrt_Calls = Sqrt_Calls'Old + 1);
     ...
   end Sqrt
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
As this example, shows, the use of the @code{Old} attribute
is often useful in postconditions to refer to the state on
entry to the subprogram.
 
Note that postconditions are only checked on normal returns
from the subprogram. If an abnormal return results from
raising an exception, then the postconditions are not checked.
 
If a postcondition fails, then the exception
@code{System.Assertions.Assert_Failure} is raised. If
a message argument was supplied, then the given string
will be used as the exception message. If no message
argument was supplied, then the default message has
the form "Postcondition failed at file:line". The
exception is raised in the context of the subprogram
body, so it is possible to catch postcondition failures
within the subprogram body itself.
 
Within a package spec, normal visibility rules
in Ada would prevent forward references within a
postcondition pragma to functions defined later in
the same package. This would introduce undesirable
ordering constraints. To avoid this problem, all
postcondition pragmas are analyzed at the end of
the package spec, allowing forward references.
 
The following example shows that this even allows
mutually recursive postconditions as in:
 
@smallexample @c ada
package Parity_Functions is
   function Odd  (X : Natural) return Boolean;
   pragma Postcondition
     (Odd'Result =
        (x = 1
          or else
        (x /= 0 and then Even (X - 1))));
 
   function Even (X : Natural) return Boolean;
   pragma Postcondition
     (Even'Result =
        (x = 0
          or else
        (x /= 1 and then Odd (X - 1))));
 
end Parity_Functions;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
There are no restrictions on the complexity or form of
conditions used within @code{Postcondition} pragmas.
The following example shows that it is even possible
to verify performance behavior.
 
@smallexample @c ada
package Sort is
 
   Performance : constant Float;
   --  Performance constant set by implementation
   --  to match target architecture behavior.
 
   procedure Treesort (Arg : String);
   --  Sorts characters of argument using N*logN sort
   pragma Postcondition
     (Float (Clock - Clock'Old) <=
        Float (Arg'Length) *
        log (Float (Arg'Length)) *
        Performance);
end Sort;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note: postcondition pragmas associated with subprograms that are
marked as Inline_Always, or those marked as Inline with front-end
inlining (-gnatN option set) are accepted and legality-checked
by the compiler, but are ignored at run-time even if postcondition
checking is enabled.
 
@node Pragma Precondition
@unnumberedsec Pragma Precondition
@cindex Preconditions
@cindex Checks, preconditions
@findex Preconditions
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Precondition (
   [Check   =>] Boolean_Expression
 [,[Message =>] String_Expression]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The @code{Precondition} pragma is similar to @code{Postcondition}
except that the corresponding checks take place immediately upon
entry to the subprogram, and if a precondition fails, the exception
is raised in the context of the caller, and the attribute 'Result
cannot be used within the precondition expression.
 
Otherwise, the placement and visibility rules are identical to those
described for postconditions. The following is an example of use
within a package spec:
 
@smallexample @c ada
package Math_Functions is
   ...
   function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float;
   pragma Precondition (Arg >= 0.0)
   ...
end Math_Functions;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@code{Precondition} pragmas may appear either immediately following the
(separate) declaration of a subprogram, or at the start of the
declarations of a subprogram body. Only other pragmas may intervene
(that is appear between the subprogram declaration and its
postconditions, or appear before the postcondition in the
declaration sequence in a subprogram body).
 
Note: postcondition pragmas associated with subprograms that are
marked as Inline_Always, or those marked as Inline with front-end
inlining (-gnatN option set) are accepted and legality-checked
by the compiler, but are ignored at run-time even if postcondition
checking is enabled.
 
@node Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)
@unnumberedsec Pragma Profile (Ravenscar)
@findex Ravenscar
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Profile (Ravenscar);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes the following set of configuration
pragmas:
 
@table @code
@item Task_Dispatching_Policy (FIFO_Within_Priorities)
[RM D.2.2] Tasks are dispatched following a preemptive
priority-ordered scheduling policy.
 
@item Locking_Policy (Ceiling_Locking)
[RM D.3] While tasks and interrupts execute a protected action, they inherit
the ceiling priority of the corresponding protected object.
@c
@c @item Detect_Blocking
@c This pragma forces the detection of potentially blocking operations within a
@c protected operation, and to raise Program_Error if that happens.
@end table
@noindent
 
plus the following set of restrictions:
 
@table @code
@item Max_Entry_Queue_Length => 1
No task can be queued on a protected entry.
@item Max_Protected_Entries => 1
@item Max_Task_Entries => 0
No rendezvous statements are allowed.
@item No_Abort_Statements
@item No_Dynamic_Attachment
@item No_Dynamic_Priorities
@item No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations
@item No_Local_Protected_Objects
@item No_Local_Timing_Events
@item No_Protected_Type_Allocators
@item No_Relative_Delay
@item No_Requeue_Statements
@item No_Select_Statements
@item No_Specific_Termination_Handlers
@item No_Task_Allocators
@item No_Task_Hierarchy
@item No_Task_Termination
@item Simple_Barriers
@end table
@noindent
 
The Ravenscar profile also includes the following restrictions that specify
that there are no semantic dependences on the corresponding predefined
packages:
 
@table @code
@item No_Dependence => Ada.Asynchronous_Task_Control
@item No_Dependence => Ada.Calendar
@item No_Dependence => Ada.Execution_Time.Group_Budget
@item No_Dependence => Ada.Execution_Time.Timers
@item No_Dependence => Ada.Task_Attributes
@item No_Dependence => System.Multiprocessors.Dispatching_Domains
@end table
 
@noindent
 
This set of configuration pragmas and restrictions correspond to the
definition of the ``Ravenscar Profile'' for limited tasking, devised and
published by the @cite{International Real-Time Ada Workshop}, 1997,
and whose most recent description is available at
@url{http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~burns/ravenscar.ps}.
 
The original definition of the profile was revised at subsequent IRTAW
meetings. It has been included in the ISO
@cite{Guide for the Use of the Ada Programming Language in High
Integrity Systems}, and has been approved by ISO/IEC/SC22/WG9 for inclusion in
the next revision of the standard. The formal definition given by
the Ada Rapporteur Group (ARG) can be found in two Ada Issues (AI-249 and
AI-305) available at
@url{http://www.ada-auth.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/ais/ai-00249.txt} and
@url{http://www.ada-auth.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/ais/ai-00305.txt}.
 
The above set is a superset of the restrictions provided by pragma
@code{Profile (Restricted)}, it includes six additional restrictions
(@code{Simple_Barriers}, @code{No_Select_Statements},
@code{No_Calendar}, @code{No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations},
@code{No_Relative_Delay} and @code{No_Task_Termination}).  This means
that pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)}, like the pragma
@code{Profile (Restricted)},
automatically causes the use of a simplified,
more efficient version of the tasking run-time system.
 
@node Pragma Profile (Restricted)
@unnumberedsec Pragma Profile (Restricted)
@findex Restricted Run Time
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Profile (Restricted);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A configuration pragma that establishes the following set of restrictions:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item No_Abort_Statements
@item No_Entry_Queue
@item No_Task_Hierarchy
@item No_Task_Allocators
@item No_Dynamic_Priorities
@item No_Terminate_Alternatives
@item No_Dynamic_Attachment
@item No_Protected_Type_Allocators
@item No_Local_Protected_Objects
@item No_Requeue_Statements
@item No_Task_Attributes_Package
@item Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting =  0
@item Max_Task_Entries =  0
@item Max_Protected_Entries = 1
@item Max_Select_Alternatives = 0
@end itemize
 
@noindent
This set of restrictions causes the automatic selection of a simplified
version of the run time that provides improved performance for the
limited set of tasking functionality permitted by this set of restrictions.
 
@node Pragma Psect_Object
@unnumberedsec Pragma Psect_Object
@findex Psect_Object
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Psect_Object (
     [Internal =>] LOCAL_NAME,
  [, [External =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]
  [, [Size     =>] EXTERNAL_SYMBOL]);
 
EXTERNAL_SYMBOL ::=
  IDENTIFIER
| static_string_EXPRESSION
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is identical in effect to pragma @code{Common_Object}.
 
@node Pragma Pure_Function
@unnumberedsec Pragma Pure_Function
@findex Pure_Function
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Pure_Function ([Entity =>] function_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma appears in the same declarative part as a function
declaration (or a set of function declarations if more than one
overloaded declaration exists, in which case the pragma applies
to all entities).  It specifies that the function @code{Entity} is
to be considered pure for the purposes of code generation.  This means
that the compiler can assume that there are no side effects, and
in particular that two calls with identical arguments produce the
same result.  It also means that the function can be used in an
address clause.
 
Note that, quite deliberately, there are no static checks to try
to ensure that this promise is met, so @code{Pure_Function} can be used
with functions that are conceptually pure, even if they do modify
global variables.  For example, a square root function that is
instrumented to count the number of times it is called is still
conceptually pure, and can still be optimized, even though it
modifies a global variable (the count).  Memo functions are another
example (where a table of previous calls is kept and consulted to
avoid re-computation).
 
Note also that the normal rules excluding optimization of subprograms
in pure units (when parameter types are descended from System.Address,
or when the full view of a parameter type is limited), do not apply
for the Pure_Function case. If you explicitly specify Pure_Function,
the compiler may optimize away calls with identical arguments, and
if that results in unexpected behavior, the proper action is not to
use the pragma for subprograms that are not (conceptually) pure.
 
@findex Pure
Note: Most functions in a @code{Pure} package are automatically pure, and
there is no need to use pragma @code{Pure_Function} for such functions.  One
exception is any function that has at least one formal of type
@code{System.Address} or a type derived from it.  Such functions are not
considered pure by default, since the compiler assumes that the
@code{Address} parameter may be functioning as a pointer and that the
referenced data may change even if the address value does not.
Similarly, imported functions are not considered to be pure by default,
since there is no way of checking that they are in fact pure.  The use
of pragma @code{Pure_Function} for such a function will override these default
assumption, and cause the compiler to treat a designated subprogram as pure
in these cases.
 
Note: If pragma @code{Pure_Function} is applied to a renamed function, it
applies to the underlying renamed function.  This can be used to
disambiguate cases of overloading where some but not all functions
in a set of overloaded functions are to be designated as pure.
 
If pragma @code{Pure_Function} is applied to a library level function, the
function is also considered pure from an optimization point of view, but the
unit is not a Pure unit in the categorization sense. So for example, a function
thus marked is free to @code{with} non-pure units.
 
@node Pragma Remote_Access_Type
@unnumberedsec Pragma Remote_Access_Type
@findex Remote_Access_Type
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Remote_Access_Type ([Entity =>] formal_access_type_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma appears in the formal part of a generic declaration.
It specifies an exception to the RM rule from E.2.2(17/2), which forbids
the use of a remote access to class-wide type as actual for a formal
access type.
 
When this pragma applies to a formal access type @code{Entity}, that
type is treated as a remote access to class-wide type in the generic.
It must be a formal general access type, and its designated type must
be the class-wide type of a formal tagged limited private type from the
same generic declaration.
 
In the generic unit, the formal type is subject to all restrictions
pertaining to remote access to class-wide types. At instantiation, the
actual type must be a remote access to class-wide type.
 
@node Pragma Restriction_Warnings
@unnumberedsec Pragma Restriction_Warnings
@findex Restriction_Warnings
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Restriction_Warnings
  (restriction_IDENTIFIER @{, restriction_IDENTIFIER@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma allows a series of restriction identifiers to be
specified (the list of allowed identifiers is the same as for
pragma @code{Restrictions}). For each of these identifiers
the compiler checks for violations of the restriction, but
generates a warning message rather than an error message
if the restriction is violated.
 
@node Pragma Shared
@unnumberedsec Pragma Shared
@findex Shared
 
@noindent
This pragma is provided for compatibility with Ada 83. The syntax and
semantics are identical to pragma Atomic.
 
@node Pragma Short_Circuit_And_Or
@unnumberedsec Pragma Short_Circuit_And_Or
@findex Short_Circuit_And_Or
 
@noindent
This configuration pragma causes any occurrence of the AND operator applied to
operands of type Standard.Boolean to be short-circuited (i.e. the AND operator
is treated as if it were AND THEN). Or is similarly treated as OR ELSE. This
may be useful in the context of certification protocols requiring the use of
short-circuited logical operators. If this configuration pragma occurs locally
within the file being compiled, it applies only to the file being compiled.
There is no requirement that all units in a partition use this option.
 
@node Pragma Short_Descriptors
@unnumberedsec Pragma Short_Descriptors
@findex Short_Descriptors
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Short_Descriptors
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In VMS versions of the compiler, this configuration pragma causes all
occurrences of the mechanism types Descriptor[_xxx] to be treated as
Short_Descriptor[_xxx]. This is helpful in porting legacy applications from a
32-bit environment to a 64-bit environment. This pragma is ignored for non-VMS
versions.
 
@node Pragma Simple_Storage_Pool_Type
@unnumberedsec Pragma Simple_Storage_Pool_Type
@findex Simple_Storage_Pool_Type
@cindex Storage pool, simple
@cindex Simple storage pool
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Simple_Storage_Pool_Type (type_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A type can be established as a ``simple storage pool type'' by applying
the representation pragma @code{Simple_Storage_Pool_Type} to the type.
A type named in the pragma must be a library-level immutably limited record
type or limited tagged type declared immediately within a package declaration.
The type can also be a limited private type whose full type is allowed as
a simple storage pool type.
 
For a simple storage pool type @var{SSP}, nonabstract primitive subprograms
@code{Allocate}, @code{Deallocate}, and @code{Storage_Size} can be declared that
are subtype conformant with the following subprogram declarations:
 
@smallexample @c ada
procedure Allocate
  (Pool                     : in out SSP;
   Storage_Address          : out System.Address;
   Size_In_Storage_Elements : System.Storage_Elements.Storage_Count;
   Alignment                : System.Storage_Elements.Storage_Count);
 
procedure Deallocate
  (Pool : in out SSP;
   Storage_Address          : System.Address;
   Size_In_Storage_Elements : System.Storage_Elements.Storage_Count;
   Alignment                : System.Storage_Elements.Storage_Count);
 
function Storage_Size (Pool : SSP)
  return System.Storage_Elements.Storage_Count;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Procedure @code{Allocate} must be declared, whereas @code{Deallocate} and
@code{Storage_Size} are optional. If @code{Deallocate} is not declared, then
applying an unchecked deallocation has no effect other than to set its actual
parameter to null. If @code{Storage_Size} is not declared, then the
@code{Storage_Size} attribute applied to an access type associated with
a pool object of type SSP returns zero. Additional operations can be declared
for a simple storage pool type (such as for supporting a mark/release
storage-management discipline).
 
An object of a simple storage pool type can be associated with an access
type by specifying the attribute @code{Simple_Storage_Pool}. For example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
 
My_Pool : My_Simple_Storage_Pool_Type;
 
type Acc is access My_Data_Type;
 
for Acc'Simple_Storage_Pool use My_Pool;
 
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
See attribute @code{Simple_Storage_Pool} for further details.
 
@node Pragma Source_File_Name
@unnumberedsec Pragma Source_File_Name
@findex Source_File_Name
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name (
  [Unit_Name   =>] unit_NAME,
  Spec_File_Name =>  STRING_LITERAL,
  [Index => INTEGER_LITERAL]);
 
pragma Source_File_Name (
  [Unit_Name   =>] unit_NAME,
  Body_File_Name =>  STRING_LITERAL,
  [Index => INTEGER_LITERAL]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Use this to override the normal naming convention.  It is a configuration
pragma, and so has the usual applicability of configuration pragmas
(i.e.@: it applies to either an entire partition, or to all units in a
compilation, or to a single unit, depending on how it is used.
@var{unit_name} is mapped to @var{file_name_literal}.  The identifier for
the second argument is required, and indicates whether this is the file
name for the spec or for the body.
 
The optional Index argument should be used when a file contains multiple
units, and when you do not want to use @code{gnatchop} to separate then
into multiple files (which is the recommended procedure to limit the
number of recompilations that are needed when some sources change).
For instance, if the source file @file{source.ada} contains
 
@smallexample @c ada
package B is
...
end B;
 
with B;
procedure A is
begin
   ..
end A;
@end smallexample
 
you could use the following configuration pragmas:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name
  (B, Spec_File_Name => "source.ada", Index => 1);
pragma Source_File_Name
  (A, Body_File_Name => "source.ada", Index => 2);
@end smallexample
 
Note that the @code{gnatname} utility can also be used to generate those
configuration pragmas.
 
Another form of the @code{Source_File_Name} pragma allows
the specification of patterns defining alternative file naming schemes
to apply to all files.
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_File_Name
  (  [Spec_File_Name  =>] STRING_LITERAL
   [,[Casing          =>] CASING_SPEC]
   [,[Dot_Replacement =>] STRING_LITERAL]);
 
pragma Source_File_Name
  (  [Body_File_Name  =>] STRING_LITERAL
   [,[Casing          =>] CASING_SPEC]
   [,[Dot_Replacement =>] STRING_LITERAL]);
 
pragma Source_File_Name
  (  [Subunit_File_Name =>] STRING_LITERAL
   [,[Casing            =>] CASING_SPEC]
   [,[Dot_Replacement   =>] STRING_LITERAL]);
 
CASING_SPEC ::= Lowercase | Uppercase | Mixedcase
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The first argument is a pattern that contains a single asterisk indicating
the point at which the unit name is to be inserted in the pattern string
to form the file name.  The second argument is optional.  If present it
specifies the casing of the unit name in the resulting file name string.
The default is lower case.  Finally the third argument allows for systematic
replacement of any dots in the unit name by the specified string literal.
 
Note that Source_File_Name pragmas should not be used if you are using
project files. The reason for this rule is that the project manager is not
aware of these pragmas, and so other tools that use the projet file would not
be aware of the intended naming conventions. If you are using project files,
file naming is controlled by Source_File_Name_Project pragmas, which are
usually supplied automatically by the project manager. A pragma
Source_File_Name cannot appear after a @ref{Pragma Source_File_Name_Project}.
 
For more details on the use of the @code{Source_File_Name} pragma,
@xref{Using Other File Names,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide},
and @ref{Alternative File Naming Schemes,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION}
User's Guide}.
 
@node Pragma Source_File_Name_Project
@unnumberedsec Pragma Source_File_Name_Project
@findex Source_File_Name_Project
@noindent
 
This pragma has the same syntax and semantics as pragma Source_File_Name.
It is only allowed as a stand alone configuration pragma.
It cannot appear after a @ref{Pragma Source_File_Name}, and
most importantly, once pragma Source_File_Name_Project appears,
no further Source_File_Name pragmas are allowed.
 
The intention is that Source_File_Name_Project pragmas are always
generated by the Project Manager in a manner consistent with the naming
specified in a project file, and when naming is controlled in this manner,
it is not permissible to attempt to modify this naming scheme using
Source_File_Name or Source_File_Name_Project pragmas (which would not be
known to the project manager).
 
@node Pragma Source_Reference
@unnumberedsec Pragma Source_Reference
@findex Source_Reference
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Source_Reference (INTEGER_LITERAL, STRING_LITERAL);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma must appear as the first line of a source file.
@var{integer_literal} is the logical line number of the line following
the pragma line (for use in error messages and debugging
information).  @var{string_literal} is a static string constant that
specifies the file name to be used in error messages and debugging
information.  This is most notably used for the output of @code{gnatchop}
with the @option{-r} switch, to make sure that the original unchopped
source file is the one referred to.
 
The second argument must be a string literal, it cannot be a static
string expression other than a string literal.  This is because its value
is needed for error messages issued by all phases of the compiler.
 
@node Pragma Static_Elaboration_Desired
@unnumberedsec Pragma Static_Elaboration_Desired
@findex Static_Elaboration_Desired
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Static_Elaboration_Desired;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used to indicate that the compiler should attempt to initialize
statically the objects declared in the library unit to which the pragma applies,
when these objects are initialized (explicitly or implicitly) by an aggregate.
In the absence of this pragma, aggregates in object declarations are expanded
into assignments and loops, even when the aggregate components are static
constants. When the aggregate is present the compiler builds a static expression
that requires no run-time code, so that the initialized object can be placed in
read-only data space. If the components are not static, or the aggregate has
more that 100 components, the compiler emits a warning that the pragma cannot
be obeyed. (See also the restriction No_Implicit_Loops, which supports static
construction of larger aggregates with static components that include an others
choice.)
 
@node Pragma Stream_Convert
@unnumberedsec Pragma Stream_Convert
@findex Stream_Convert
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Stream_Convert (
  [Entity =>] type_LOCAL_NAME,
  [Read   =>] function_NAME,
  [Write  =>] function_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma provides an efficient way of providing stream functions for
types defined in packages.  Not only is it simpler to use than declaring
the necessary functions with attribute representation clauses, but more
significantly, it allows the declaration to made in such a way that the
stream packages are not loaded unless they are needed.  The use of
the Stream_Convert pragma adds no overhead at all, unless the stream
attributes are actually used on the designated type.
 
The first argument specifies the type for which stream functions are
provided.  The second parameter provides a function used to read values
of this type.  It must name a function whose argument type may be any
subtype, and whose returned type must be the type given as the first
argument to the pragma.
 
The meaning of the @var{Read}
parameter is that if a stream attribute directly
or indirectly specifies reading of the type given as the first parameter,
then a value of the type given as the argument to the Read function is
read from the stream, and then the Read function is used to convert this
to the required target type.
 
Similarly the @var{Write} parameter specifies how to treat write attributes
that directly or indirectly apply to the type given as the first parameter.
It must have an input parameter of the type specified by the first parameter,
and the return type must be the same as the input type of the Read function.
The effect is to first call the Write function to convert to the given stream
type, and then write the result type to the stream.
 
The Read and Write functions must not be overloaded subprograms.  If necessary
renamings can be supplied to meet this requirement.
The usage of this attribute is best illustrated by a simple example, taken
from the GNAT implementation of package Ada.Strings.Unbounded:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function To_Unbounded (S : String)
           return Unbounded_String
  renames To_Unbounded_String;
 
pragma Stream_Convert
  (Unbounded_String, To_Unbounded, To_String);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The specifications of the referenced functions, as given in the Ada
Reference Manual are:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function To_Unbounded_String (Source : String)
  return Unbounded_String;
 
function To_String (Source : Unbounded_String)
  return String;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The effect is that if the value of an unbounded string is written to a stream,
then the representation of the item in the stream is in the same format that
would be used for @code{Standard.String'Output}, and this same representation
is expected when a value of this type is read from the stream. Note that the
value written always includes the bounds, even for Unbounded_String'Write,
since Unbounded_String is not an array type.
 
@node Pragma Style_Checks
@unnumberedsec Pragma Style_Checks
@findex Style_Checks
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Style_Checks (string_LITERAL | ALL_CHECKS |
                     On | Off [, LOCAL_NAME]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used in conjunction with compiler switches to control the
built in style checking provided by GNAT@.  The compiler switches, if set,
provide an initial setting for the switches, and this pragma may be used
to modify these settings, or the settings may be provided entirely by
the use of the pragma.  This pragma can be used anywhere that a pragma
is legal, including use as a configuration pragma (including use in
the @file{gnat.adc} file).
 
The form with a string literal specifies which style options are to be
activated.  These are additive, so they apply in addition to any previously
set style check options.  The codes for the options are the same as those
used in the @option{-gnaty} switch to @command{gcc} or @command{gnatmake}.
For example the following two methods can be used to enable
layout checking:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Style_Checks ("l");
@end smallexample
 
@item
@smallexample
gcc -c -gnatyl @dots{}
@end smallexample
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The form ALL_CHECKS activates all standard checks (its use is equivalent
to the use of the @code{gnaty} switch with no options.  @xref{Top,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide, About This Guide, gnat_ugn,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide}, for details.)
 
Note: the behavior is slightly different in GNAT mode (@option{-gnatg} used).
In this case, ALL_CHECKS implies the standard set of GNAT mode style check
options (i.e. equivalent to -gnatyg).
 
The forms with @code{Off} and @code{On}
can be used to temporarily disable style checks
as shown in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
pragma Style_Checks ("k"); -- requires keywords in lower case
pragma Style_Checks (Off); -- turn off style checks
NULL;                      -- this will not generate an error message
pragma Style_Checks (On);  -- turn style checks back on
NULL;                      -- this will generate an error message
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Finally the two argument form is allowed only if the first argument is
@code{On} or @code{Off}.  The effect is to turn of semantic style checks
for the specified entity, as shown in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
pragma Style_Checks ("r"); -- require consistency of identifier casing
Arg : Integer;
Rf1 : Integer := ARG;      -- incorrect, wrong case
pragma Style_Checks (Off, Arg);
Rf2 : Integer := ARG;      -- OK, no error
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Subtitle
@unnumberedsec Pragma Subtitle
@findex Subtitle
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Subtitle ([Subtitle =>] STRING_LITERAL);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is recognized for compatibility with other Ada compilers
but is ignored by GNAT@.
 
@node Pragma Suppress
@unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress
@findex Suppress
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Suppress (Identifier [, [On =>] Name]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a standard pragma, and supports all the check names required in
the RM. It is included here because GNAT recognizes one additional check
name: @code{Alignment_Check} which can be used to suppress alignment checks
on addresses used in address clauses. Such checks can also be suppressed
by suppressing range checks, but the specific use of @code{Alignment_Check}
allows suppression of alignment checks without suppressing other range checks.
 
Note that pragma Suppress gives the compiler permission to omit
checks, but does not require the compiler to omit checks. The compiler
will generate checks if they are essentially free, even when they are
suppressed. In particular, if the compiler can prove that a certain
check will necessarily fail, it will generate code to do an
unconditional ``raise'', even if checks are suppressed. The compiler
warns in this case.
 
Of course, run-time checks are omitted whenever the compiler can prove
that they will not fail, whether or not checks are suppressed.
 
@node Pragma Suppress_All
@unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_All
@findex Suppress_All
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Suppress_All;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma can appear anywhere within a unit.
The effect is to apply @code{Suppress (All_Checks)} to the unit
in which it appears.  This pragma is implemented for compatibility with DEC
Ada 83 usage where it appears at the end of a unit, and for compatibility
with Rational Ada, where it appears as a program unit pragma.
The use of the standard Ada pragma @code{Suppress (All_Checks)}
as a normal configuration pragma is the preferred usage in GNAT@.
 
@node Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations
@unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations
@findex Suppress_Exception_Locations
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Suppress_Exception_Locations;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In normal mode, a raise statement for an exception by default generates
an exception message giving the file name and line number for the location
of the raise. This is useful for debugging and logging purposes, but this
entails extra space for the strings for the messages. The configuration
pragma @code{Suppress_Exception_Locations} can be used to suppress the
generation of these strings, with the result that space is saved, but the
exception message for such raises is null. This configuration pragma may
appear in a global configuration pragma file, or in a specific unit as
usual. It is not required that this pragma be used consistently within
a partition, so it is fine to have some units within a partition compiled
with this pragma and others compiled in normal mode without it.
 
@node Pragma Suppress_Initialization
@unnumberedsec Pragma Suppress_Initialization
@findex Suppress_Initialization
@cindex Suppressing initialization
@cindex Initialization, suppression of
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Suppress_Initialization ([Entity =>] subtype_Name);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Here subtype_Name is the name introduced by a type declaration
or subtype declaration.
This pragma suppresses any implicit or explicit initialization
for all variables of the given type or subtype,
including initialization resulting from the use of pragmas
Normalize_Scalars or Initialize_Scalars.
 
This is considered a representation item, so it cannot be given after
the type is frozen. It applies to all subsequent object declarations,
and also any allocator that creates objects of the type.
 
If the pragma is given for the first subtype, then it is considered
to apply to the base type and all its subtypes. If the pragma is given
for other than a first subtype, then it applies only to the given subtype.
The pragma may not be given after the type is frozen.
 
@node Pragma Task_Info
@unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Info
@findex Task_Info
@noindent
Syntax
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Task_Info (EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma appears within a task definition (like pragma
@code{Priority}) and applies to the task in which it appears.  The
argument must be of type @code{System.Task_Info.Task_Info_Type}.
The @code{Task_Info} pragma provides system dependent control over
aspects of tasking implementation, for example, the ability to map
tasks to specific processors.  For details on the facilities available
for the version of GNAT that you are using, see the documentation
in the spec of package System.Task_Info in the runtime
library.
 
@node Pragma Task_Name
@unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Name
@findex Task_Name
@noindent
Syntax
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Task_Name (string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma appears within a task definition (like pragma
@code{Priority}) and applies to the task in which it appears.  The
argument must be of type String, and provides a name to be used for
the task instance when the task is created.  Note that this expression
is not required to be static, and in particular, it can contain
references to task discriminants.  This facility can be used to
provide different names for different tasks as they are created,
as illustrated in the example below.
 
The task name is recorded internally in the run-time structures
and is accessible to tools like the debugger.  In addition the
routine @code{Ada.Task_Identification.Image} will return this
string, with a unique task address appended.
 
@smallexample @c ada
--  Example of the use of pragma Task_Name
 
with Ada.Task_Identification;
use Ada.Task_Identification;
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure t3 is
 
   type Astring is access String;
 
   task type Task_Typ (Name : access String) is
      pragma Task_Name (Name.all);
   end Task_Typ;
 
   task body Task_Typ is
      Nam : constant String := Image (Current_Task);
   begin
      Put_Line ("-->" & Nam (1 .. 14) & "<--");
   end Task_Typ;
 
   type Ptr_Task is access Task_Typ;
   Task_Var : Ptr_Task;
 
begin
   Task_Var :=
     new Task_Typ (new String'("This is task 1"));
   Task_Var :=
     new Task_Typ (new String'("This is task 2"));
end;
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Task_Storage
@unnumberedsec Pragma Task_Storage
@findex Task_Storage
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Task_Storage (
  [Task_Type =>] LOCAL_NAME,
  [Top_Guard =>] static_integer_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma specifies the length of the guard area for tasks.  The guard
area is an additional storage area allocated to a task.  A value of zero
means that either no guard area is created or a minimal guard area is
created, depending on the target.  This pragma can appear anywhere a
@code{Storage_Size} attribute definition clause is allowed for a task
type.
 
@node Pragma Test_Case
@unnumberedsec Pragma Test_Case
@cindex Test cases
@findex Test_Case
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Test_Case (
   [Name     =>] static_string_Expression
  ,[Mode     =>] (Nominal | Robustness)
 [, Requires =>  Boolean_Expression]
 [, Ensures  =>  Boolean_Expression]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The @code{Test_Case} pragma allows defining fine-grain specifications
for use by testing and verification tools. The compiler checks its
validity but the presence of pragma @code{Test_Case} does not lead to
any modification of the code generated by the compiler.
 
@code{Test_Case} pragmas may only appear immediately following the
(separate) declaration of a subprogram in a package declaration, inside
a package spec unit. Only other pragmas may intervene (that is appear
between the subprogram declaration and a test case).
 
The compiler checks that boolean expressions given in @code{Requires} and
@code{Ensures} are valid, where the rules for @code{Requires} are the
same as the rule for an expression in @code{Precondition} and the rules
for @code{Ensures} are the same as the rule for an expression in
@code{Postcondition}. In particular, attributes @code{'Old} and
@code{'Result} can only be used within the @code{Ensures}
expression. The following is an example of use within a package spec:
 
@smallexample @c ada
package Math_Functions is
   ...
   function Sqrt (Arg : Float) return Float;
   pragma Test_Case (Name     => "Test 1",
                     Mode     => Nominal,
                     Requires => Arg < 100,
                     Ensures  => Sqrt'Result < 10);
   ...
end Math_Functions;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The meaning of a test case is that, if the associated subprogram is
executed in a context where @code{Requires} holds, then @code{Ensures}
should hold when the subprogram returns. Mode @code{Nominal} indicates
that the input context should satisfy the precondition of the
subprogram, and the output context should then satisfy its
postcondition. More @code{Robustness} indicates that the pre- and
postcondition of the subprogram should be ignored for this test case.
 
@node Pragma Thread_Local_Storage
@unnumberedsec Pragma Thread_Local_Storage
@findex Thread_Local_Storage
@cindex Task specific storage
@cindex TLS (Thread Local Storage)
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Thread_Local_Storage ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma specifies that the specified entity, which must be
a variable declared in a library level package, is to be marked as
"Thread Local Storage" (@code{TLS}). On systems supporting this (which
include Solaris, GNU/Linux and VxWorks 6), this causes each thread
(and hence each Ada task) to see a distinct copy of the variable.
 
The variable may not have default initialization, and if there is
an explicit initialization, it must be either @code{null} for an
access variable, or a static expression for a scalar variable.
This provides a low level mechanism similar to that provided by
the @code{Ada.Task_Attributes} package, but much more efficient
and is also useful in writing interface code that will interact
with foreign threads.
 
If this pragma is used on a system where @code{TLS} is not supported,
then an error message will be generated and the program will be rejected.
 
@node Pragma Time_Slice
@unnumberedsec Pragma Time_Slice
@findex Time_Slice
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Time_Slice (static_duration_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
For implementations of GNAT on operating systems where it is possible
to supply a time slice value, this pragma may be used for this purpose.
It is ignored if it is used in a system that does not allow this control,
or if it appears in other than the main program unit.
@cindex OpenVMS
Note that the effect of this pragma is identical to the effect of the
DEC Ada 83 pragma of the same name when operating under OpenVMS systems.
 
@node Pragma Title
@unnumberedsec Pragma Title
@findex Title
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Title (TITLING_OPTION [, TITLING OPTION]);
 
TITLING_OPTION ::=
  [Title    =>] STRING_LITERAL,
| [Subtitle =>] STRING_LITERAL
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Syntax checked but otherwise ignored by GNAT@.  This is a listing control
pragma used in DEC Ada 83 implementations to provide a title and/or
subtitle for the program listing.  The program listing generated by GNAT
does not have titles or subtitles.
 
Unlike other pragmas, the full flexibility of named notation is allowed
for this pragma, i.e.@: the parameters may be given in any order if named
notation is used, and named and positional notation can be mixed
following the normal rules for procedure calls in Ada.
 
@node Pragma Unchecked_Union
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unchecked_Union
@cindex Unions in C
@findex Unchecked_Union
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unchecked_Union (first_subtype_LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used to specify a representation of a record type that is
equivalent to a C union. It was introduced as a GNAT implementation defined
pragma in the GNAT Ada 95 mode. Ada 2005 includes an extended version of this
pragma, making it language defined, and GNAT fully implements this extended
version in all language modes (Ada 83, Ada 95, and Ada 2005). For full
details, consult the Ada 2005 Reference Manual, section B.3.3.
 
@node Pragma Unimplemented_Unit
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unimplemented_Unit
@findex Unimplemented_Unit
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unimplemented_Unit;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
If this pragma occurs in a unit that is processed by the compiler, GNAT
aborts with the message @samp{@var{xxx} not implemented}, where
@var{xxx} is the name of the current compilation unit.  This pragma is
intended to allow the compiler to handle unimplemented library units in
a clean manner.
 
The abort only happens if code is being generated.  Thus you can use
specs of unimplemented packages in syntax or semantic checking mode.
 
@node Pragma Universal_Aliasing
@unnumberedsec Pragma Universal_Aliasing
@findex Universal_Aliasing
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Universal_Aliasing [([Entity =>] type_LOCAL_NAME)];
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{type_LOCAL_NAME} must refer to a type declaration in the current
declarative part.  The effect is to inhibit strict type-based aliasing
optimization for the given type.  In other words, the effect is as though
access types designating this type were subject to pragma No_Strict_Aliasing.
For a detailed description of the strict aliasing optimization, and the
situations in which it must be suppressed, @xref{Optimization and Strict
Aliasing,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
 
@node Pragma Universal_Data
@unnumberedsec Pragma Universal_Data
@findex Universal_Data
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Universal_Data [(library_unit_Name)];
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is supported only for the AAMP target and is ignored for
other targets. The pragma specifies that all library-level objects
(Counter 0 data) associated with the library unit are to be accessed
and updated using universal addressing (24-bit addresses for AAMP5)
rather than the default of 16-bit Data Environment (DENV) addressing.
Use of this pragma will generally result in less efficient code for
references to global data associated with the library unit, but
allows such data to be located anywhere in memory. This pragma is
a library unit pragma, but can also be used as a configuration pragma
(including use in the @file{gnat.adc} file). The functionality
of this pragma is also available by applying the -univ switch on the
compilations of units where universal addressing of the data is desired.
 
@node Pragma Unmodified
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unmodified
@findex Unmodified
@cindex Warnings, unmodified
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unmodified (LOCAL_NAME @{, LOCAL_NAME@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma signals that the assignable entities (variables,
@code{out} parameters, @code{in out} parameters) whose names are listed are
deliberately not assigned in the current source unit. This
suppresses warnings about the
entities being referenced but not assigned, and in addition a warning will be
generated if one of these entities is in fact assigned in the
same unit as the pragma (or in the corresponding body, or one
of its subunits).
 
This is particularly useful for clearly signaling that a particular
parameter is not modified, even though the spec suggests that it might
be.
 
@node Pragma Unreferenced
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unreferenced
@findex Unreferenced
@cindex Warnings, unreferenced
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unreferenced (LOCAL_NAME @{, LOCAL_NAME@});
pragma Unreferenced (library_unit_NAME @{, library_unit_NAME@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma signals that the entities whose names are listed are
deliberately not referenced in the current source unit. This
suppresses warnings about the
entities being unreferenced, and in addition a warning will be
generated if one of these entities is in fact subsequently referenced in the
same unit as the pragma (or in the corresponding body, or one
of its subunits).
 
This is particularly useful for clearly signaling that a particular
parameter is not referenced in some particular subprogram implementation
and that this is deliberate. It can also be useful in the case of
objects declared only for their initialization or finalization side
effects.
 
If @code{LOCAL_NAME} identifies more than one matching homonym in the
current scope, then the entity most recently declared is the one to which
the pragma applies. Note that in the case of accept formals, the pragma
Unreferenced may appear immediately after the keyword @code{do} which
allows the indication of whether or not accept formals are referenced
or not to be given individually for each accept statement.
 
The left hand side of an assignment does not count as a reference for the
purpose of this pragma. Thus it is fine to assign to an entity for which
pragma Unreferenced is given.
 
Note that if a warning is desired for all calls to a given subprogram,
regardless of whether they occur in the same unit as the subprogram
declaration, then this pragma should not be used (calls from another
unit would not be flagged); pragma Obsolescent can be used instead
for this purpose, see @xref{Pragma Obsolescent}.
 
The second form of pragma @code{Unreferenced} is used within a context
clause. In this case the arguments must be unit names of units previously
mentioned in @code{with} clauses (similar to the usage of pragma
@code{Elaborate_All}. The effect is to suppress warnings about unreferenced
units and unreferenced entities within these units.
 
@node Pragma Unreferenced_Objects
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unreferenced_Objects
@findex Unreferenced_Objects
@cindex Warnings, unreferenced
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unreferenced_Objects (local_subtype_NAME @{, local_subtype_NAME@});
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma signals that for the types or subtypes whose names are
listed, objects which are declared with one of these types or subtypes may
not be referenced, and if no references appear, no warnings are given.
 
This is particularly useful for objects which are declared solely for their
initialization and finalization effect. Such variables are sometimes referred
to as RAII variables (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization). Using this
pragma on the relevant type (most typically a limited controlled type), the
compiler will automatically suppress unwanted warnings about these variables
not being referenced.
 
@node Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts
@findex Unreserve_All_Interrupts
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unreserve_All_Interrupts;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Normally certain interrupts are reserved to the implementation.  Any attempt
to attach an interrupt causes Program_Error to be raised, as described in
RM C.3.2(22).  A typical example is the @code{SIGINT} interrupt used in
many systems for a @kbd{Ctrl-C} interrupt.  Normally this interrupt is
reserved to the implementation, so that @kbd{Ctrl-C} can be used to
interrupt execution.
 
If the pragma @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} appears anywhere in any unit in
a program, then all such interrupts are unreserved.  This allows the
program to handle these interrupts, but disables their standard
functions.  For example, if this pragma is used, then pressing
@kbd{Ctrl-C} will not automatically interrupt execution.  However,
a program can then handle the @code{SIGINT} interrupt as it chooses.
 
For a full list of the interrupts handled in a specific implementation,
see the source code for the spec of @code{Ada.Interrupts.Names} in
file @file{a-intnam.ads}.  This is a target dependent file that contains the
list of interrupts recognized for a given target.  The documentation in
this file also specifies what interrupts are affected by the use of
the @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} pragma.
 
For a more general facility for controlling what interrupts can be
handled, see pragma @code{Interrupt_State}, which subsumes the functionality
of the @code{Unreserve_All_Interrupts} pragma.
 
@node Pragma Unsuppress
@unnumberedsec Pragma Unsuppress
@findex Unsuppress
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Unsuppress (IDENTIFIER [, [On =>] NAME]);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma undoes the effect of a previous pragma @code{Suppress}.  If
there is no corresponding pragma @code{Suppress} in effect, it has no
effect.  The range of the effect is the same as for pragma
@code{Suppress}.  The meaning of the arguments is identical to that used
in pragma @code{Suppress}.
 
One important application is to ensure that checks are on in cases where
code depends on the checks for its correct functioning, so that the code
will compile correctly even if the compiler switches are set to suppress
checks.
 
@node Pragma Use_VADS_Size
@unnumberedsec Pragma Use_VADS_Size
@cindex @code{Size}, VADS compatibility
@findex Use_VADS_Size
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Use_VADS_Size;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is a configuration pragma.  In a unit to which it applies, any use
of the 'Size attribute is automatically interpreted as a use of the
'VADS_Size attribute.  Note that this may result in incorrect semantic
processing of valid Ada 95 or Ada 2005 programs.  This is intended to aid in
the handling of existing code which depends on the interpretation of Size
as implemented in the VADS compiler.  See description of the VADS_Size
attribute for further details.
 
@node Pragma Validity_Checks
@unnumberedsec Pragma Validity_Checks
@findex Validity_Checks
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Validity_Checks (string_LITERAL | ALL_CHECKS | On | Off);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is used in conjunction with compiler switches to control the
built-in validity checking provided by GNAT@.  The compiler switches, if set
provide an initial setting for the switches, and this pragma may be used
to modify these settings, or the settings may be provided entirely by
the use of the pragma.  This pragma can be used anywhere that a pragma
is legal, including use as a configuration pragma (including use in
the @file{gnat.adc} file).
 
The form with a string literal specifies which validity options are to be
activated.  The validity checks are first set to include only the default
reference manual settings, and then a string of letters in the string
specifies the exact set of options required.  The form of this string
is exactly as described for the @option{-gnatVx} compiler switch (see the
GNAT users guide for details).  For example the following two methods
can be used to enable validity checking for mode @code{in} and
@code{in out} subprogram parameters:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Validity_Checks ("im");
@end smallexample
 
@item
@smallexample
gcc -c -gnatVim @dots{}
@end smallexample
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The form ALL_CHECKS activates all standard checks (its use is equivalent
to the use of the @code{gnatva} switch.
 
The forms with @code{Off} and @code{On}
can be used to temporarily disable validity checks
as shown in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@iftex
@leftskip=0cm
@end iftex
pragma Validity_Checks ("c"); -- validity checks for copies
pragma Validity_Checks (Off); -- turn off validity checks
A := B;                       -- B will not be validity checked
pragma Validity_Checks (On);  -- turn validity checks back on
A := C;                       -- C will be validity checked
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Volatile
@unnumberedsec Pragma Volatile
@findex Volatile
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Volatile (LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma is defined by the Ada Reference Manual, and the GNAT
implementation is fully conformant with this definition.  The reason it
is mentioned in this section is that a pragma of the same name was supplied
in some Ada 83 compilers, including DEC Ada 83.  The Ada 95 / Ada 2005
implementation of pragma Volatile is upwards compatible with the
implementation in DEC Ada 83.
 
@node Pragma Warnings
@unnumberedsec Pragma Warnings
@findex Warnings
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Warnings (On | Off);
pragma Warnings (On | Off, LOCAL_NAME);
pragma Warnings (static_string_EXPRESSION);
pragma Warnings (On | Off, static_string_EXPRESSION);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Normally warnings are enabled, with the output being controlled by
the command line switch.  Warnings (@code{Off}) turns off generation of
warnings until a Warnings (@code{On}) is encountered or the end of the
current unit.  If generation of warnings is turned off using this
pragma, then no warning messages are output, regardless of the
setting of the command line switches.
 
The form with a single argument may be used as a configuration pragma.
 
If the @var{LOCAL_NAME} parameter is present, warnings are suppressed for
the specified entity.  This suppression is effective from the point where
it occurs till the end of the extended scope of the variable (similar to
the scope of @code{Suppress}).
 
The form with a single static_string_EXPRESSION argument provides more precise
control over which warnings are active. The string is a list of letters
specifying which warnings are to be activated and which deactivated. The
code for these letters is the same as the string used in the command
line switch controlling warnings. For a brief summary, use the gnatmake
command with no arguments, which will generate usage information containing
the list of warnings switches supported. For
full details see @ref{Warning Message Control,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION}
User's Guide}.
 
@noindent
The specified warnings will be in effect until the end of the program
or another pragma Warnings is encountered. The effect of the pragma is
cumulative. Initially the set of warnings is the standard default set
as possibly modified by compiler switches. Then each pragma Warning
modifies this set of warnings as specified. This form of the pragma may
also be used as a configuration pragma.
 
The fourth form, with an @code{On|Off} parameter and a string, is used to
control individual messages, based on their text. The string argument
is a pattern that is used to match against the text of individual
warning messages (not including the initial "warning: " tag).
 
The pattern may contain asterisks, which match zero or more characters in
the message. For example, you can use
@code{pragma Warnings (Off, "*bits of*unused")} to suppress the warning
message @code{warning: 960 bits of "a" unused}. No other regular
expression notations are permitted. All characters other than asterisk in
these three specific cases are treated as literal characters in the match.
 
There are two ways to use the pragma in this form. The OFF form can be used as a
configuration pragma. The effect is to suppress all warnings (if any)
that match the pattern string throughout the compilation.
 
The second usage is to suppress a warning locally, and in this case, two
pragmas must appear in sequence:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Warnings (Off, Pattern);
@dots{} code where given warning is to be suppressed
pragma Warnings (On, Pattern);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In this usage, the pattern string must match in the Off and On pragmas,
and at least one matching warning must be suppressed.
 
Note: to write a string that will match any warning, use the string
@code{"***"}. It will not work to use a single asterisk or two asterisks
since this looks like an operator name. This form with three asterisks
is similar in effect to specifying @code{pragma Warnings (Off)} except that a
matching @code{pragma Warnings (On, "***")} will be required. This can be
helpful in avoiding forgetting to turn warnings back on.
 
Note: the debug flag -gnatd.i (@code{/NOWARNINGS_PRAGMAS} in VMS) can be
used to cause the compiler to entirely ignore all WARNINGS pragmas. This can
be useful in checking whether obsolete pragmas in existing programs are hiding
real problems.
 
Note: pragma Warnings does not affect the processing of style messages. See
separate entry for pragma Style_Checks for control of style messages.
 
@node Pragma Weak_External
@unnumberedsec Pragma Weak_External
@findex Weak_External
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Weak_External ([Entity =>] LOCAL_NAME);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@var{LOCAL_NAME} must refer to an object that is declared at the library
level. This pragma specifies that the given entity should be marked as a
weak symbol for the linker. It is equivalent to @code{__attribute__((weak))}
in GNU C and causes @var{LOCAL_NAME} to be emitted as a weak symbol instead
of a regular symbol, that is to say a symbol that does not have to be
resolved by the linker if used in conjunction with a pragma Import.
 
When a weak symbol is not resolved by the linker, its address is set to
zero. This is useful in writing interfaces to external modules that may
or may not be linked in the final executable, for example depending on
configuration settings.
 
If a program references at run time an entity to which this pragma has been
applied, and the corresponding symbol was not resolved at link time, then
the execution of the program is erroneous. It is not erroneous to take the
Address of such an entity, for example to guard potential references,
as shown in the example below.
 
Some file formats do not support weak symbols so not all target machines
support this pragma.
 
@smallexample @c ada
--  Example of the use of pragma Weak_External
 
package External_Module is
  key : Integer;
  pragma Import (C, key);
  pragma Weak_External (key);
  function Present return boolean;
end External_Module;
 
with System; use System;
package body External_Module is
  function Present return boolean is
  begin
    return key'Address /= System.Null_Address;
  end Present;
end External_Module;
@end smallexample
 
@node Pragma Wide_Character_Encoding
@unnumberedsec Pragma Wide_Character_Encoding
@findex Wide_Character_Encoding
@noindent
Syntax:
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Wide_Character_Encoding (IDENTIFIER | CHARACTER_LITERAL);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This pragma specifies the wide character encoding to be used in program
source text appearing subsequently. It is a configuration pragma, but may
also be used at any point that a pragma is allowed, and it is permissible
to have more than one such pragma in a file, allowing multiple encodings
to appear within the same file.
 
The argument can be an identifier or a character literal. In the identifier
case, it is one of @code{HEX}, @code{UPPER}, @code{SHIFT_JIS},
@code{EUC}, @code{UTF8}, or @code{BRACKETS}. In the character literal
case it is correspondingly one of the characters @samp{h}, @samp{u},
@samp{s}, @samp{e}, @samp{8}, or @samp{b}.
 
Note that when the pragma is used within a file, it affects only the
encoding within that file, and does not affect withed units, specs,
or subunits.
 
@node Implementation Defined Attributes
@chapter Implementation Defined Attributes
Ada defines (throughout the Ada reference manual,
summarized in Annex K),
a set of attributes that provide useful additional functionality in all
areas of the language.  These language defined attributes are implemented
in GNAT and work as described in the Ada Reference Manual.
 
In addition, Ada allows implementations to define additional
attributes whose meaning is defined by the implementation.  GNAT provides
a number of these implementation-dependent attributes which can be used
to extend and enhance the functionality of the compiler.  This section of
the GNAT reference manual describes these additional attributes.
 
Note that any program using these attributes may not be portable to
other compilers (although GNAT implements this set of attributes on all
platforms).  Therefore if portability to other compilers is an important
consideration, you should minimize the use of these attributes.
 
@menu
* Abort_Signal::
* Address_Size::
* Asm_Input::
* Asm_Output::
* AST_Entry::
* Bit::
* Bit_Position::
* Compiler_Version::
* Code_Address::
* Default_Bit_Order::
* Descriptor_Size::
* Elaborated::
* Elab_Body::
* Elab_Spec::
* Elab_Subp_Body::
* Emax::
* Enabled::
* Enum_Rep::
* Enum_Val::
* Epsilon::
* Fixed_Value::
* Has_Access_Values::
* Has_Discriminants::
* Img::
* Integer_Value::
* Invalid_Value::
* Large::
* Machine_Size::
* Mantissa::
* Max_Interrupt_Priority::
* Max_Priority::
* Maximum_Alignment::
* Mechanism_Code::
* Null_Parameter::
* Object_Size::
* Old::
* Passed_By_Reference::
* Pool_Address::
* Range_Length::
* Ref::
* Result::
* Safe_Emax::
* Safe_Large::
* Simple_Storage_Pool::
* Small::
* Storage_Unit::
* Stub_Type::
* System_Allocator_Alignment::
* Target_Name::
* Tick::
* To_Address::
* Type_Class::
* UET_Address::
* Unconstrained_Array::
* Universal_Literal_String::
* Unrestricted_Access::
* VADS_Size::
* Value_Size::
* Wchar_T_Size::
* Word_Size::
@end menu
 
@node Abort_Signal
@unnumberedsec Abort_Signal
@findex Abort_Signal
@noindent
@code{Standard'Abort_Signal} (@code{Standard} is the only allowed
prefix) provides the entity for the special exception used to signal
task abort or asynchronous transfer of control.  Normally this attribute
should only be used in the tasking runtime (it is highly peculiar, and
completely outside the normal semantics of Ada, for a user program to
intercept the abort exception).
 
@node Address_Size
@unnumberedsec Address_Size
@cindex Size of @code{Address}
@findex Address_Size
@noindent
@code{Standard'Address_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only allowed
prefix) is a static constant giving the number of bits in an
@code{Address}. It is the same value as System.Address'Size,
but has the advantage of being static, while a direct
reference to System.Address'Size is non-static because Address
is a private type.
 
@node Asm_Input
@unnumberedsec Asm_Input
@findex Asm_Input
@noindent
The @code{Asm_Input} attribute denotes a function that takes two
parameters.  The first is a string, the second is an expression of the
type designated by the prefix.  The first (string) argument is required
to be a static expression, and is the constraint for the parameter,
(e.g.@: what kind of register is required).  The second argument is the
value to be used as the input argument.  The possible values for the
constant are the same as those used in the RTL, and are dependent on
the configuration file used to built the GCC back end.
@ref{Machine Code Insertions}
 
@node Asm_Output
@unnumberedsec Asm_Output
@findex Asm_Output
@noindent
The @code{Asm_Output} attribute denotes a function that takes two
parameters.  The first is a string, the second is the name of a variable
of the type designated by the attribute prefix.  The first (string)
argument is required to be a static expression and designates the
constraint for the parameter (e.g.@: what kind of register is
required).  The second argument is the variable to be updated with the
result.  The possible values for constraint are the same as those used in
the RTL, and are dependent on the configuration file used to build the
GCC back end.  If there are no output operands, then this argument may
either be omitted, or explicitly given as @code{No_Output_Operands}.
@ref{Machine Code Insertions}
 
@node AST_Entry
@unnumberedsec AST_Entry
@cindex OpenVMS
@findex AST_Entry
@noindent
This attribute is implemented only in OpenVMS versions of GNAT@.  Applied to
the name of an entry, it yields a value of the predefined type AST_Handler
(declared in the predefined package System, as extended by the use of
pragma @code{Extend_System (Aux_DEC)}).  This value enables the given entry to
be called when an AST occurs.  For further details, refer to the @cite{DEC Ada
Language Reference Manual}, section 9.12a.
 
@node Bit
@unnumberedsec Bit
@findex Bit
@code{@var{obj}'Bit}, where @var{obj} is any object, yields the bit
offset within the storage unit (byte) that contains the first bit of
storage allocated for the object.  The value of this attribute is of the
type @code{Universal_Integer}, and is always a non-negative number not
exceeding the value of @code{System.Storage_Unit}.
 
For an object that is a variable or a constant allocated in a register,
the value is zero.  (The use of this attribute does not force the
allocation of a variable to memory).
 
For an object that is a formal parameter, this attribute applies
to either the matching actual parameter or to a copy of the
matching actual parameter.
 
For an access object the value is zero.  Note that
@code{@var{obj}.all'Bit} is subject to an @code{Access_Check} for the
designated object.  Similarly for a record component
@code{@var{X}.@var{C}'Bit} is subject to a discriminant check and
@code{@var{X}(@var{I}).Bit} and @code{@var{X}(@var{I1}..@var{I2})'Bit}
are subject to index checks.
 
This attribute is designed to be compatible with the DEC Ada 83 definition
and implementation of the @code{Bit} attribute.
 
@node Bit_Position
@unnumberedsec Bit_Position
@findex Bit_Position
@noindent
@code{@var{R.C}'Bit_Position}, where @var{R} is a record object and C is one
of the fields of the record type, yields the bit
offset within the record contains the first bit of
storage allocated for the object.  The value of this attribute is of the
type @code{Universal_Integer}.  The value depends only on the field
@var{C} and is independent of the alignment of
the containing record @var{R}.
 
@node Compiler_Version
@unnumberedsec Compiler_Version
@findex Compiler_Version
@noindent
@code{Standard'Compiler_Version} (@code{Standard} is the only allowed
prefix) yields a static string identifying the version of the compiler
being used to compile the unit containing the attribute reference. A
typical result would be something like "@value{EDITION} @i{version} (20090221)".
 
@node Code_Address
@unnumberedsec Code_Address
@findex Code_Address
@cindex Subprogram address
@cindex Address of subprogram code
@noindent
The @code{'Address}
attribute may be applied to subprograms in Ada 95 and Ada 2005, but the
intended effect seems to be to provide
an address value which can be used to call the subprogram by means of
an address clause as in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
procedure K is @dots{}
 
procedure L;
for L'Address use K'Address;
pragma Import (Ada, L);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A call to @code{L} is then expected to result in a call to @code{K}@.
In Ada 83, where there were no access-to-subprogram values, this was
a common work-around for getting the effect of an indirect call.
GNAT implements the above use of @code{Address} and the technique
illustrated by the example code works correctly.
 
However, for some purposes, it is useful to have the address of the start
of the generated code for the subprogram.  On some architectures, this is
not necessarily the same as the @code{Address} value described above.
For example, the @code{Address} value may reference a subprogram
descriptor rather than the subprogram itself.
 
The @code{'Code_Address} attribute, which can only be applied to
subprogram entities, always returns the address of the start of the
generated code of the specified subprogram, which may or may not be
the same value as is returned by the corresponding @code{'Address}
attribute.
 
@node Default_Bit_Order
@unnumberedsec Default_Bit_Order
@cindex Big endian
@cindex Little endian
@findex Default_Bit_Order
@noindent
@code{Standard'Default_Bit_Order} (@code{Standard} is the only
permissible prefix), provides the value @code{System.Default_Bit_Order}
as a @code{Pos} value (0 for @code{High_Order_First}, 1 for
@code{Low_Order_First}).  This is used to construct the definition of
@code{Default_Bit_Order} in package @code{System}.
 
@node Descriptor_Size
@unnumberedsec Descriptor_Size
@cindex Descriptor
@cindex Dope vector
@findex Descriptor_Size
@noindent
Non-static attribute @code{Descriptor_Size} returns the size in bits of the
descriptor allocated for a type.  The result is non-zero only for unconstrained
array types and the returned value is of type universal integer.  In GNAT, an
array descriptor contains bounds information and is located immediately before
the first element of the array.
 
@smallexample @c ada
type Unconstr_Array is array (Positive range <>) of Boolean;
Put_Line ("Descriptor size = " & Unconstr_Array'Descriptor_Size'Img);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The attribute takes into account any additional padding due to type alignment.
In the example above, the descriptor contains two values of type
@code{Positive} representing the low and high bound.  Since @code{Positive} has
a size of 31 bits and an alignment of 4, the descriptor size is @code{2 *
Positive'Size + 2} or 64 bits.
 
@node Elaborated
@unnumberedsec Elaborated
@findex Elaborated
@noindent
The prefix of the @code{'Elaborated} attribute must be a unit name.  The
value is a Boolean which indicates whether or not the given unit has been
elaborated.  This attribute is primarily intended for internal use by the
generated code for dynamic elaboration checking, but it can also be used
in user programs.  The value will always be True once elaboration of all
units has been completed.  An exception is for units which need no
elaboration, the value is always False for such units.
 
@node Elab_Body
@unnumberedsec Elab_Body
@findex Elab_Body
@noindent
This attribute can only be applied to a program unit name.  It returns
the entity for the corresponding elaboration procedure for elaborating
the body of the referenced unit.  This is used in the main generated
elaboration procedure by the binder and is not normally used in any
other context.  However, there may be specialized situations in which it
is useful to be able to call this elaboration procedure from Ada code,
e.g.@: if it is necessary to do selective re-elaboration to fix some
error.
 
@node Elab_Spec
@unnumberedsec Elab_Spec
@findex Elab_Spec
@noindent
This attribute can only be applied to a program unit name.  It returns
the entity for the corresponding elaboration procedure for elaborating
the spec of the referenced unit.  This is used in the main
generated elaboration procedure by the binder and is not normally used
in any other context.  However, there may be specialized situations in
which it is useful to be able to call this elaboration procedure from
Ada code, e.g.@: if it is necessary to do selective re-elaboration to fix
some error.
 
@node Elab_Subp_Body
@unnumberedsec Elab_Subp_Body
@findex Elab_Subp_Body
@noindent
This attribute can only be applied to a library level subprogram
name and is only allowed in CodePeer mode. It returns the entity
for the corresponding elaboration procedure for elaborating the body
of the referenced subprogram unit. This is used in the main generated
elaboration procedure by the binder in CodePeer mode only and is unrecognized
otherwise.
 
@node Emax
@unnumberedsec Emax
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Emax
@noindent
The @code{Emax} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Enabled
@unnumberedsec Enabled
@findex Enabled
@noindent
The @code{Enabled} attribute allows an application program to check at compile
time to see if the designated check is currently enabled. The prefix is a
simple identifier, referencing any predefined check name (other than
@code{All_Checks}) or a check name introduced by pragma Check_Name. If
no argument is given for the attribute, the check is for the general state
of the check, if an argument is given, then it is an entity name, and the
check indicates whether an @code{Suppress} or @code{Unsuppress} has been
given naming the entity (if not, then the argument is ignored).
 
Note that instantiations inherit the check status at the point of the
instantiation, so a useful idiom is to have a library package that
introduces a check name with @code{pragma Check_Name}, and then contains
generic packages or subprograms which use the @code{Enabled} attribute
to see if the check is enabled. A user of this package can then issue
a @code{pragma Suppress} or @code{pragma Unsuppress} before instantiating
the package or subprogram, controlling whether the check will be present.
 
@node Enum_Rep
@unnumberedsec Enum_Rep
@cindex Representation of enums
@findex Enum_Rep
@noindent
For every enumeration subtype @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} denotes a
function with the following spec:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function @var{S}'Enum_Rep (Arg : @var{S}'Base)
  return @i{Universal_Integer};
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
It is also allowable to apply @code{Enum_Rep} directly to an object of an
enumeration type or to a non-overloaded enumeration
literal.  In this case @code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} is equivalent to
@code{@var{typ}'Enum_Rep(@var{S})} where @var{typ} is the type of the
enumeration literal or object.
 
The function returns the representation value for the given enumeration
value.  This will be equal to value of the @code{Pos} attribute in the
absence of an enumeration representation clause.  This is a static
attribute (i.e.@: the result is static if the argument is static).
 
@code{@var{S}'Enum_Rep} can also be used with integer types and objects,
in which case it simply returns the integer value.  The reason for this
is to allow it to be used for @code{(<>)} discrete formal arguments in
a generic unit that can be instantiated with either enumeration types
or integer types.  Note that if @code{Enum_Rep} is used on a modular
type whose upper bound exceeds the upper bound of the largest signed
integer type, and the argument is a variable, so that the universal
integer calculation is done at run time, then the call to @code{Enum_Rep}
may raise @code{Constraint_Error}.
 
@node Enum_Val
@unnumberedsec Enum_Val
@cindex Representation of enums
@findex Enum_Val
@noindent
For every enumeration subtype @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Enum_Val} denotes a
function with the following spec:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function @var{S}'Enum_Val (Arg : @i{Universal_Integer)
  return @var{S}'Base};
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The function returns the enumeration value whose representation matches the
argument, or raises Constraint_Error if no enumeration literal of the type
has the matching value.
This will be equal to value of the @code{Val} attribute in the
absence of an enumeration representation clause.  This is a static
attribute (i.e.@: the result is static if the argument is static).
 
@node Epsilon
@unnumberedsec Epsilon
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Epsilon
@noindent
The @code{Epsilon} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Fixed_Value
@unnumberedsec Fixed_Value
@findex Fixed_Value
@noindent
For every fixed-point type @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Fixed_Value} denotes a
function with the following specification:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function @var{S}'Fixed_Value (Arg : @i{Universal_Integer})
  return @var{S};
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The value returned is the fixed-point value @var{V} such that
 
@smallexample @c ada
@var{V} = Arg * @var{S}'Small
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The effect is thus similar to first converting the argument to the
integer type used to represent @var{S}, and then doing an unchecked
conversion to the fixed-point type.  The difference is
that there are full range checks, to ensure that the result is in range.
This attribute is primarily intended for use in implementation of the
input-output functions for fixed-point values.
 
@node Has_Access_Values
@unnumberedsec Has_Access_Values
@cindex Access values, testing for
@findex Has_Access_Values
@noindent
The prefix of the @code{Has_Access_Values} attribute is a type.  The result
is a Boolean value which is True if the is an access type, or is a composite
type with a component (at any nesting depth) that is an access type, and is
False otherwise.
The intended use of this attribute is in conjunction with generic
definitions.  If the attribute is applied to a generic private type, it
indicates whether or not the corresponding actual type has access values.
 
@node Has_Discriminants
@unnumberedsec Has_Discriminants
@cindex Discriminants, testing for
@findex Has_Discriminants
@noindent
The prefix of the @code{Has_Discriminants} attribute is a type.  The result
is a Boolean value which is True if the type has discriminants, and False
otherwise.  The intended use of this attribute is in conjunction with generic
definitions.  If the attribute is applied to a generic private type, it
indicates whether or not the corresponding actual type has discriminants.
 
@node Img
@unnumberedsec Img
@findex Img
@noindent
The @code{Img} attribute differs from @code{Image} in that it may be
applied to objects as well as types, in which case it gives the
@code{Image} for the subtype of the object.  This is convenient for
debugging:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Put_Line ("X = " & X'Img);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
has the same meaning as the more verbose:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Put_Line ("X = " & @var{T}'Image (X));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where @var{T} is the (sub)type of the object @code{X}.
 
@node Integer_Value
@unnumberedsec Integer_Value
@findex Integer_Value
@noindent
For every integer type @var{S}, @code{@var{S}'Integer_Value} denotes a
function with the following spec:
 
@smallexample @c ada
function @var{S}'Integer_Value (Arg : @i{Universal_Fixed})
  return @var{S};
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The value returned is the integer value @var{V}, such that
 
@smallexample @c ada
Arg = @var{V} * @var{T}'Small
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where @var{T} is the type of @code{Arg}.
The effect is thus similar to first doing an unchecked conversion from
the fixed-point type to its corresponding implementation type, and then
converting the result to the target integer type.  The difference is
that there are full range checks, to ensure that the result is in range.
This attribute is primarily intended for use in implementation of the
standard input-output functions for fixed-point values.
 
@node Invalid_Value
@unnumberedsec Invalid_Value
@findex Invalid_Value
@noindent
For every scalar type S, S'Invalid_Value returns an undefined value of the
type. If possible this value is an invalid representation for the type. The
value returned is identical to the value used to initialize an otherwise
uninitialized value of the type if pragma Initialize_Scalars is used,
including the ability to modify the value with the binder -Sxx flag and
relevant environment variables at run time.
 
@node Large
@unnumberedsec Large
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Large
@noindent
The @code{Large} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Machine_Size
@unnumberedsec Machine_Size
@findex Machine_Size
@noindent
This attribute is identical to the @code{Object_Size} attribute.  It is
provided for compatibility with the DEC Ada 83 attribute of this name.
 
@node Mantissa
@unnumberedsec Mantissa
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Mantissa
@noindent
The @code{Mantissa} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Max_Interrupt_Priority
@unnumberedsec Max_Interrupt_Priority
@cindex Interrupt priority, maximum
@findex Max_Interrupt_Priority
@noindent
@code{Standard'Max_Interrupt_Priority} (@code{Standard} is the only
permissible prefix), provides the same value as
@code{System.Max_Interrupt_Priority}.
 
@node Max_Priority
@unnumberedsec Max_Priority
@cindex Priority, maximum
@findex Max_Priority
@noindent
@code{Standard'Max_Priority} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
prefix) provides the same value as @code{System.Max_Priority}.
 
@node Maximum_Alignment
@unnumberedsec Maximum_Alignment
@cindex Alignment, maximum
@findex Maximum_Alignment
@noindent
@code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment} (@code{Standard} is the only
permissible prefix) provides the maximum useful alignment value for the
target.  This is a static value that can be used to specify the alignment
for an object, guaranteeing that it is properly aligned in all
cases.
 
@node Mechanism_Code
@unnumberedsec Mechanism_Code
@cindex Return values, passing mechanism
@cindex Parameters, passing mechanism
@findex Mechanism_Code
@noindent
@code{@var{function}'Mechanism_Code} yields an integer code for the
mechanism used for the result of function, and
@code{@var{subprogram}'Mechanism_Code (@var{n})} yields the mechanism
used for formal parameter number @var{n} (a static integer value with 1
meaning the first parameter) of @var{subprogram}.  The code returned is:
 
@table @asis
@item 1
by copy (value)
@item 2
by reference
@item 3
by descriptor (default descriptor class)
@item 4
by descriptor (UBS: unaligned bit string)
@item 5
by descriptor (UBSB: aligned bit string with arbitrary bounds)
@item 6
by descriptor (UBA: unaligned bit array)
@item 7
by descriptor (S: string, also scalar access type parameter)
@item 8
by descriptor (SB: string with arbitrary bounds)
@item 9
by descriptor (A: contiguous array)
@item 10
by descriptor (NCA: non-contiguous array)
@end table
 
@noindent
Values from 3 through 10 are only relevant to Digital OpenVMS implementations.
@cindex OpenVMS
 
@node Null_Parameter
@unnumberedsec Null_Parameter
@cindex Zero address, passing
@findex Null_Parameter
@noindent
A reference @code{@var{T}'Null_Parameter} denotes an imaginary object of
type or subtype @var{T} allocated at machine address zero.  The attribute
is allowed only as the default expression of a formal parameter, or as
an actual expression of a subprogram call.  In either case, the
subprogram must be imported.
 
The identity of the object is represented by the address zero in the
argument list, independent of the passing mechanism (explicit or
default).
 
This capability is needed to specify that a zero address should be
passed for a record or other composite object passed by reference.
There is no way of indicating this without the @code{Null_Parameter}
attribute.
 
@node Object_Size
@unnumberedsec Object_Size
@cindex Size, used for objects
@findex Object_Size
@noindent
The size of an object is not necessarily the same as the size of the type
of an object.  This is because by default object sizes are increased to be
a multiple of the alignment of the object.  For example,
@code{Natural'Size} is
31, but by default objects of type @code{Natural} will have a size of 32 bits.
Similarly, a record containing an integer and a character:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type Rec is record
   I : Integer;
   C : Character;
end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
will have a size of 40 (that is @code{Rec'Size} will be 40).  The
alignment will be 4, because of the
integer field, and so the default size of record objects for this type
will be 64 (8 bytes).
 
@node Old
@unnumberedsec Old
@cindex Capturing Old values
@cindex Postconditions
@noindent
The attribute Prefix'Old can be used within a
subprogram body or within a precondition or
postcondition pragma. The effect is to
refer to the value of the prefix on entry. So for
example if you have an argument of a record type X called Arg1,
you can refer to Arg1.Field'Old which yields the value of
Arg1.Field on entry. The implementation simply involves generating
an object declaration which captures the value on entry.
The prefix must denote an object of a nonlimited type (since limited types
cannot be copied to capture their values) and it must not reference a local
variable (since local variables do not exist at subprogram entry time). Note
that the variable introduced by a quantified expression is a local variable.
The following example shows the use of 'Old to implement
a test of a postcondition:
 
@smallexample @c ada
with Old_Pkg;
procedure Old is
begin
   Old_Pkg.Incr;
end Old;
 
package Old_Pkg is
   procedure Incr;
end Old_Pkg;
 
package body Old_Pkg is
   Count : Natural := 0;
 
   procedure Incr is
   begin
      ... code manipulating the value of Count
 
      pragma Assert (Count = Count'Old + 1);
   end Incr;
end Old_Pkg;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note that it is allowed to apply 'Old to a constant entity, but this will
result in a warning, since the old and new values will always be the same.
 
@node Passed_By_Reference
@unnumberedsec Passed_By_Reference
@cindex Parameters, when passed by reference
@findex Passed_By_Reference
@noindent
@code{@var{type}'Passed_By_Reference} for any subtype @var{type} returns
a value of type @code{Boolean} value that is @code{True} if the type is
normally passed by reference and @code{False} if the type is normally
passed by copy in calls.  For scalar types, the result is always @code{False}
and is static.  For non-scalar types, the result is non-static.
 
@node Pool_Address
@unnumberedsec Pool_Address
@cindex Parameters, when passed by reference
@findex Pool_Address
@noindent
@code{@var{X}'Pool_Address} for any object @var{X} returns the address
of X within its storage pool. This is the same as
@code{@var{X}'Address}, except that for an unconstrained array whose
bounds are allocated just before the first component,
@code{@var{X}'Pool_Address} returns the address of those bounds,
whereas @code{@var{X}'Address} returns the address of the first
component.
 
Here, we are interpreting ``storage pool'' broadly to mean ``wherever
the object is allocated'', which could be a user-defined storage pool,
the global heap, on the stack, or in a static memory area. For an
object created by @code{new}, @code{@var{Ptr.all}'Pool_Address} is
what is passed to @code{Allocate} and returned from @code{Deallocate}.
 
@node Range_Length
@unnumberedsec Range_Length
@findex Range_Length
@noindent
@code{@var{type}'Range_Length} for any discrete type @var{type} yields
the number of values represented by the subtype (zero for a null
range).  The result is static for static subtypes.  @code{Range_Length}
applied to the index subtype of a one dimensional array always gives the
same result as @code{Range} applied to the array itself.
 
@node Ref
@unnumberedsec Ref
@findex Ref
@noindent
The @code{System.Address'Ref}
(@code{System.Address} is the only permissible prefix)
denotes a function identical to
@code{System.Storage_Elements.To_Address} except that
it is a static attribute.  See @ref{To_Address} for more details.
 
@node Result
@unnumberedsec Result
@findex Result
@noindent
@code{@var{function}'Result} can only be used with in a Postcondition pragma
for a function. The prefix must be the name of the corresponding function. This
is used to refer to the result of the function in the postcondition expression.
For a further discussion of the use of this attribute and examples of its use,
see the description of pragma Postcondition.
 
@node Safe_Emax
@unnumberedsec Safe_Emax
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Safe_Emax
@noindent
The @code{Safe_Emax} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Safe_Large
@unnumberedsec Safe_Large
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Safe_Large
@noindent
The @code{Safe_Large} attribute is provided for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute.
 
@node Simple_Storage_Pool
@unnumberedsec Simple_Storage_Pool
@cindex Storage pool, simple
@cindex Simple storage pool
@findex Simple_Storage_Pool
@noindent
For every nonformal, nonderived access-to-object type @var{Acc}, the
representation attribute @code{Simple_Storage_Pool} may be specified
via an attribute_definition_clause (or by specifying the equivalent aspect):
 
@smallexample @c ada
 
My_Pool : My_Simple_Storage_Pool_Type;
 
type Acc is access My_Data_Type;
 
for Acc'Simple_Storage_Pool use My_Pool;
 
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The name given in an attribute_definition_clause for the
@code{Simple_Storage_Pool} attribute shall denote a variable of
a ``simple storage pool type'' (see pragma @code{Simple_Storage_Pool_Type}).
 
The use of this attribute is only allowed for a prefix denoting a type
for which it has been specified. The type of the attribute is the type
of the variable specified as the simple storage pool of the access type,
and the attribute denotes that variable.
 
It is illegal to specify both @code{Storage_Pool} and @code{Simple_Storage_Pool}
for the same access type.
 
If the @code{Simple_Storage_Pool} attribute has been specified for an access
type, then applying the @code{Storage_Pool} attribute to the type is flagged
with a warning and its evaluation raises the exception @code{Program_Error}.
 
If the Simple_Storage_Pool attribute has been specified for an access
type @var{S}, then the evaluation of the attribute @code{@var{S}'Storage_Size}
returns the result of calling @code{Storage_Size (@var{S}'Simple_Storage_Pool)},
which is intended to indicate the number of storage elements reserved for
the simple storage pool. If the Storage_Size function has not been defined
for the simple storage pool type, then this attribute returns zero.
 
If an access type @var{S} has a specified simple storage pool of type
@var{SSP}, then the evaluation of an allocator for that access type calls
the primitive @code{Allocate} procedure for type @var{SSP}, passing
@code{@var{S}'Simple_Storage_Pool} as the pool parameter. The detailed
semantics of such allocators is the same as those defined for allocators
in section 13.11 of the Ada Reference Manual, with the term
``simple storage pool'' substituted for ``storage pool''.
 
If an access type @var{S} has a specified simple storage pool of type
@var{SSP}, then a call to an instance of the @code{Ada.Unchecked_Deallocation}
for that access type invokes the primitive @code{Deallocate} procedure
for type @var{SSP}, passing @code{@var{S}'Simple_Storage_Pool} as the pool
parameter. The detailed semantics of such unchecked deallocations is the same
as defined in section 13.11.2 of the Ada Reference Manual, except that the
term ``simple storage pool'' is substituted for ``storage pool''.
 
@node Small
@unnumberedsec Small
@cindex Ada 83 attributes
@findex Small
@noindent
The @code{Small} attribute is defined in Ada 95 (and Ada 2005) only for
fixed-point types.
GNAT also allows this attribute to be applied to floating-point types
for compatibility with Ada 83.  See
the Ada 83 reference manual for an exact description of the semantics of
this attribute when applied to floating-point types.
 
@node Storage_Unit
@unnumberedsec Storage_Unit
@findex Storage_Unit
@noindent
@code{Standard'Storage_Unit} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
prefix) provides the same value as @code{System.Storage_Unit}.
 
@node Stub_Type
@unnumberedsec Stub_Type
@findex Stub_Type
@noindent
The GNAT implementation of remote access-to-classwide types is
organized as described in AARM section E.4 (20.t): a value of an RACW type
(designating a remote object) is represented as a normal access
value, pointing to a "stub" object which in turn contains the
necessary information to contact the designated remote object. A
call on any dispatching operation of such a stub object does the
remote call, if necessary, using the information in the stub object
to locate the target partition, etc.
 
For a prefix @code{T} that denotes a remote access-to-classwide type,
@code{T'Stub_Type} denotes the type of the corresponding stub objects.
 
By construction, the layout of @code{T'Stub_Type} is identical to that of
type @code{RACW_Stub_Type} declared in the internal implementation-defined
unit @code{System.Partition_Interface}. Use of this attribute will create
an implicit dependency on this unit.
 
@node System_Allocator_Alignment
@unnumberedsec System_Allocator_Alignment
@cindex Alignment, allocator
@findex System_Allocator_Alignment
@noindent
@code{Standard'System_Allocator_Alignment} (@code{Standard} is the only
permissible prefix) provides the observable guaranted to be honored by
the system allocator (malloc). This is a static value that can be used
in user storage pools based on malloc either to reject allocation
with alignment too large or to enable a realignment circuitry if the
alignment request is larger than this value.
 
@node Target_Name
@unnumberedsec Target_Name
@findex Target_Name
@noindent
@code{Standard'Target_Name} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
prefix) provides a static string value that identifies the target
for the current compilation. For GCC implementations, this is the
standard gcc target name without the terminating slash (for
example, GNAT 5.0 on windows yields "i586-pc-mingw32msv").
 
@node Tick
@unnumberedsec Tick
@findex Tick
@noindent
@code{Standard'Tick} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible prefix)
provides the same value as @code{System.Tick},
 
@node To_Address
@unnumberedsec To_Address
@findex To_Address
@noindent
The @code{System'To_Address}
(@code{System} is the only permissible prefix)
denotes a function identical to
@code{System.Storage_Elements.To_Address} except that
it is a static attribute.  This means that if its argument is
a static expression, then the result of the attribute is a
static expression.  The result is that such an expression can be
used in contexts (e.g.@: preelaborable packages) which require a
static expression and where the function call could not be used
(since the function call is always non-static, even if its
argument is static).
 
@node Type_Class
@unnumberedsec Type_Class
@findex Type_Class
@noindent
@code{@var{type}'Type_Class} for any type or subtype @var{type} yields
the value of the type class for the full type of @var{type}.  If
@var{type} is a generic formal type, the value is the value for the
corresponding actual subtype.  The value of this attribute is of type
@code{System.Aux_DEC.Type_Class}, which has the following definition:
 
@smallexample @c ada
  type Type_Class is
    (Type_Class_Enumeration,
     Type_Class_Integer,
     Type_Class_Fixed_Point,
     Type_Class_Floating_Point,
     Type_Class_Array,
     Type_Class_Record,
     Type_Class_Access,
     Type_Class_Task,
     Type_Class_Address);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Protected types yield the value @code{Type_Class_Task}, which thus
applies to all concurrent types.  This attribute is designed to
be compatible with the DEC Ada 83 attribute of the same name.
 
@node UET_Address
@unnumberedsec UET_Address
@findex UET_Address
@noindent
The @code{UET_Address} attribute can only be used for a prefix which
denotes a library package.  It yields the address of the unit exception
table when zero cost exception handling is used.  This attribute is
intended only for use within the GNAT implementation.  See the unit
@code{Ada.Exceptions} in files @file{a-except.ads} and @file{a-except.adb}
for details on how this attribute is used in the implementation.
 
@node Unconstrained_Array
@unnumberedsec Unconstrained_Array
@findex Unconstrained_Array
@noindent
The @code{Unconstrained_Array} attribute can be used with a prefix that
denotes any type or subtype. It is a static attribute that yields
@code{True} if the prefix designates an unconstrained array,
and @code{False} otherwise. In a generic instance, the result is
still static, and yields the result of applying this test to the
generic actual.
 
@node Universal_Literal_String
@unnumberedsec Universal_Literal_String
@cindex Named numbers, representation of
@findex Universal_Literal_String
@noindent
The prefix of @code{Universal_Literal_String} must be a named
number.  The static result is the string consisting of the characters of
the number as defined in the original source.  This allows the user
program to access the actual text of named numbers without intermediate
conversions and without the need to enclose the strings in quotes (which
would preclude their use as numbers).
 
For example, the following program prints the first 50 digits of pi:
 
@smallexample @c ada
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
with Ada.Numerics;
procedure Pi is
begin
   Put (Ada.Numerics.Pi'Universal_Literal_String);
end;
@end smallexample
 
@node Unrestricted_Access
@unnumberedsec Unrestricted_Access
@cindex @code{Access}, unrestricted
@findex Unrestricted_Access
@noindent
The @code{Unrestricted_Access} attribute is similar to @code{Access}
except that all accessibility and aliased view checks are omitted.  This
is a user-beware attribute.  It is similar to
@code{Address}, for which it is a desirable replacement where the value
desired is an access type.  In other words, its effect is identical to
first applying the @code{Address} attribute and then doing an unchecked
conversion to a desired access type.  In GNAT, but not necessarily in
other implementations, the use of static chains for inner level
subprograms means that @code{Unrestricted_Access} applied to a
subprogram yields a value that can be called as long as the subprogram
is in scope (normal Ada accessibility rules restrict this usage).
 
It is possible to use @code{Unrestricted_Access} for any type, but care
must be exercised if it is used to create pointers to unconstrained
objects. In this case, the resulting pointer has the same scope as the
context of the attribute, and may not be returned to some enclosing
scope. For instance, a function cannot use @code{Unrestricted_Access}
to create a unconstrained pointer and then return that value to the
caller.
 
@node VADS_Size
@unnumberedsec VADS_Size
@cindex @code{Size}, VADS compatibility
@findex VADS_Size
@noindent
The @code{'VADS_Size} attribute is intended to make it easier to port
legacy code which relies on the semantics of @code{'Size} as implemented
by the VADS Ada 83 compiler.  GNAT makes a best effort at duplicating the
same semantic interpretation.  In particular, @code{'VADS_Size} applied
to a predefined or other primitive type with no Size clause yields the
Object_Size (for example, @code{Natural'Size} is 32 rather than 31 on
typical machines).  In addition @code{'VADS_Size} applied to an object
gives the result that would be obtained by applying the attribute to
the corresponding type.
 
@node Value_Size
@unnumberedsec Value_Size
@cindex @code{Size}, setting for not-first subtype
@findex Value_Size
@code{@var{type}'Value_Size} is the number of bits required to represent
a value of the given subtype.  It is the same as @code{@var{type}'Size},
but, unlike @code{Size}, may be set for non-first subtypes.
 
@node Wchar_T_Size
@unnumberedsec Wchar_T_Size
@findex Wchar_T_Size
@code{Standard'Wchar_T_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
prefix) provides the size in bits of the C @code{wchar_t} type
primarily for constructing the definition of this type in
package @code{Interfaces.C}.
 
@node Word_Size
@unnumberedsec Word_Size
@findex Word_Size
@code{Standard'Word_Size} (@code{Standard} is the only permissible
prefix) provides the value @code{System.Word_Size}.
 
@node Implementation Defined Restrictions
@chapter Implementation Defined Restrictions
 
@noindent
All RM defined Restriction identifiers are implemented:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item language-defined restrictions (see 13.12.1)
@item tasking restrictions (see D.7)
@item high integrity restrictions (see H.4)
@end itemize
 
@noindent
GNAT implements additional restriction identifiers. All restrictions, whether
language defined or GNAT-specific, are listed in the following.
 
@menu
* Partition-Wide Restrictions::
* Program Unit Level Restrictions::
@end menu
 
@node Partition-Wide Restrictions
@section Partition-Wide Restrictions
 
There are two separate lists of restriction identifiers. The first
set requires consistency throughout a partition (in other words, if the
restriction identifier is used for any compilation unit in the partition,
then all compilation units in the partition must obey the restriction).
 
@menu
* Immediate_Reclamation::
* Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting::
* Max_Entry_Queue_Length::
* Max_Protected_Entries::
* Max_Select_Alternatives::
* Max_Storage_At_Blocking::
* Max_Task_Entries::
* Max_Tasks::
* No_Abort_Statements::
* No_Access_Parameter_Allocators::
* No_Access_Subprograms::
* No_Allocators::
* No_Anonymous_Allocators::
* No_Calendar::
* No_Coextensions::
* No_Default_Initialization::
* No_Delay::
* No_Dependence::
* No_Direct_Boolean_Operators::
* No_Dispatch::
* No_Dispatching_Calls::
* No_Dynamic_Attachment::
* No_Dynamic_Priorities::
* No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code::
* No_Enumeration_Maps::
* No_Exception_Handlers::
* No_Exception_Propagation::
* No_Exception_Registration::
* No_Exceptions::
* No_Finalization::
* No_Fixed_Point::
* No_Floating_Point::
* No_Implicit_Conditionals::
* No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code::
* No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations::
* No_Implicit_Loops::
* No_Initialize_Scalars::
* No_IO::
* No_Local_Allocators::
* No_Local_Protected_Objects::
* No_Local_Timing_Events::
* No_Nested_Finalization::
* No_Protected_Type_Allocators::
* No_Protected_Types::
* No_Recursion::
* No_Reentrancy::
* No_Relative_Delay::
* No_Requeue_Statements::
* No_Secondary_Stack::
* No_Select_Statements::
* No_Specific_Termination_Handlers::
* No_Specification_of_Aspect::
* No_Standard_Allocators_After_Elaboration::
* No_Standard_Storage_Pools::
* No_Stream_Optimizations::
* No_Streams::
* No_Task_Allocators::
* No_Task_Attributes_Package::
* No_Task_Hierarchy::
* No_Task_Termination::
* No_Tasking::
* No_Terminate_Alternatives::
* No_Unchecked_Access::
* Simple_Barriers::
* Static_Priorities::
* Static_Storage_Size::
@end menu
 
@node Immediate_Reclamation
@unnumberedsubsec Immediate_Reclamation
@findex Immediate_Reclamation
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures that, except for storage occupied by
objects created by allocators and not deallocated via unchecked
deallocation, any storage reserved at run time for an object is
immediately reclaimed when the object no longer exists.
 
@node Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting
@findex Max_Asynchronous_Select_Nesting
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum dynamic nesting level of asynchronous
selects. Violations of this restriction with a value of zero are
detected at compile time. Violations of this restriction with values
other than zero cause Storage_Error to be raised.
 
@node Max_Entry_Queue_Length
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Entry_Queue_Length
@findex Max_Entry_Queue_Length
[RM D.7] This restriction is a declaration that any protected entry compiled in
the scope of the restriction has at most the specified number of
tasks waiting on the entry at any one time, and so no queue is required.
Note that this restriction is checked at run time. Violation of this
restriction results in the raising of Program_Error exception at the point of
the call.
 
@node Max_Protected_Entries
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Protected_Entries
@findex Max_Protected_Entries
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of entries per protected type. The
bounds of every entry family of a protected unit shall be static, or shall be
defined by a discriminant of a subtype whose corresponding bound is static.
 
@node Max_Select_Alternatives
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Select_Alternatives
@findex Max_Select_Alternatives
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of alternatives in a selective accept.
 
@node Max_Storage_At_Blocking
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Storage_At_Blocking
@findex Max_Storage_At_Blocking
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum portion (in storage elements) of a task's
Storage_Size that can be retained by a blocked task. A violation of this
restriction causes Storage_Error to be raised.
 
@node Max_Task_Entries
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Task_Entries
@findex Max_Task_Entries
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of entries
per task.  The bounds of every entry family
of a task unit shall be static, or shall be
defined by a discriminant of a subtype whose
corresponding bound is static.
 
@node Max_Tasks
@unnumberedsubsec Max_Tasks
@findex Max_Tasks
[RM D.7] Specifies the maximum number of task that may be created, not
counting the creation of the environment task.  Violations of this
restriction with a value of zero are detected at compile
time. Violations of this restriction with values other than zero cause
Storage_Error to be raised.
 
@node No_Abort_Statements
@unnumberedsubsec No_Abort_Statements
@findex No_Abort_Statements
[RM D.7] There are no abort_statements, and there are
no calls to Task_Identification.Abort_Task.
 
@node No_Access_Parameter_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Access_Parameter_Allocators
@findex No_Access_Parameter_Allocators
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of an allocator as the actual parameter to an access
parameter.
 
@node No_Access_Subprograms
@unnumberedsubsec No_Access_Subprograms
@findex No_Access_Subprograms
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
declarations of access-to-subprogram types.
 
@node No_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Allocators
@findex No_Allocators
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of an allocator.
 
@node No_Anonymous_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Anonymous_Allocators
@findex No_Anonymous_Allocators
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of an allocator of anonymous access type.
 
@node No_Calendar
@unnumberedsubsec No_Calendar
@findex No_Calendar
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that there is no implicit or
explicit dependence on the package @code{Ada.Calendar}.
 
@node No_Coextensions
@unnumberedsubsec No_Coextensions
@findex No_Coextensions
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
coextensions. See 3.10.2.
 
@node No_Default_Initialization
@unnumberedsubsec No_Default_Initialization
@findex No_Default_Initialization
 
[GNAT] This restriction prohibits any instance of default initialization
of variables.  The binder implements a consistency rule which prevents
any unit compiled without the restriction from with'ing a unit with the
restriction (this allows the generation of initialization procedures to
be skipped, since you can be sure that no call is ever generated to an
initialization procedure in a unit with the restriction active). If used
in conjunction with Initialize_Scalars or Normalize_Scalars, the effect
is to prohibit all cases of variables declared without a specific
initializer (including the case of OUT scalar parameters).
 
@node No_Delay
@unnumberedsubsec No_Delay
@findex No_Delay
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
delay statements and no dependences on package Calendar.
 
@node No_Dependence
@unnumberedsubsec No_Dependence
@findex No_Dependence
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that there are no
dependence on a library unit.
 
@node No_Direct_Boolean_Operators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Direct_Boolean_Operators
@findex No_Direct_Boolean_Operators
[GNAT] This restriction ensures that no logical (and/or/xor) are used on
operands of type Boolean (or any type derived
from Boolean). This is intended for use in safety critical programs
where the certification protocol requires the use of short-circuit
(and then, or else) forms for all composite boolean operations.
 
@node No_Dispatch
@unnumberedsubsec No_Dispatch
@findex No_Dispatch
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of @code{T'Class}, for any (tagged) subtype @code{T}.
 
@node No_Dispatching_Calls
@unnumberedsubsec No_Dispatching_Calls
@findex No_Dispatching_Calls
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that the code generated by the
compiler involves no dispatching calls. The use of this restriction allows the
safe use of record extensions, classwide membership tests and other classwide
features not involving implicit dispatching. This restriction ensures that
the code contains no indirect calls through a dispatching mechanism. Note that
this includes internally-generated calls created by the compiler, for example
in the implementation of class-wide objects assignments. The
membership test is allowed in the presence of this restriction, because its
implementation requires no dispatching.
This restriction is comparable to the official Ada restriction
@code{No_Dispatch} except that it is a bit less restrictive in that it allows
all classwide constructs that do not imply dispatching.
The following example indicates constructs that violate this restriction.
 
@smallexample
package Pkg is
  type T is tagged record
    Data : Natural;
  end record;
  procedure P (X : T);
 
  type DT is new T with record
    More_Data : Natural;
  end record;
  procedure Q (X : DT);
end Pkg;
 
with Pkg; use Pkg;
procedure Example is
  procedure Test (O : T'Class) is
    N : Natural  := O'Size;--  Error: Dispatching call
    C : T'Class := O;      --  Error: implicit Dispatching Call
  begin
    if O in DT'Class then  --  OK   : Membership test
       Q (DT (O));         --  OK   : Type conversion plus direct call
    else
       P (O);              --  Error: Dispatching call
    end if;
  end Test;
 
  Obj : DT;
begin
  P (Obj);                 --  OK   : Direct call
  P (T (Obj));             --  OK   : Type conversion plus direct call
  P (T'Class (Obj));       --  Error: Dispatching call
 
  Test (Obj);              --  OK   : Type conversion
 
  if Obj in T'Class then   --  OK   : Membership test
     null;
  end if;
end Example;
@end smallexample
 
@node No_Dynamic_Attachment
@unnumberedsubsec No_Dynamic_Attachment
@findex No_Dynamic_Attachment
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures that there is no call to any of the
operations defined in package Ada.Interrupts
(Is_Reserved, Is_Attached, Current_Handler, Attach_Handler, Exchange_Handler,
Detach_Handler, and Reference).
 
@node No_Dynamic_Priorities
@unnumberedsubsec No_Dynamic_Priorities
@findex No_Dynamic_Priorities
[RM D.7] There are no semantic dependencies on the package Dynamic_Priorities.
 
@node No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
@unnumberedsubsec No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
@findex No_Entry_Calls_In_Elaboration_Code
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no task or protected entry
calls are made during elaboration code.  As a result of the use of this
restriction, the compiler can assume that no code past an accept statement
in a task can be executed at elaboration time.
 
@node No_Enumeration_Maps
@unnumberedsubsec No_Enumeration_Maps
@findex No_Enumeration_Maps
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no operations requiring
enumeration maps are used (that is Image and Value attributes applied
to enumeration types).
 
@node No_Exception_Handlers
@unnumberedsubsec No_Exception_Handlers
@findex No_Exception_Handlers
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no explicit
exception handlers. It also indicates that no exception propagation will
be provided. In this mode, exceptions may be raised but will result in
an immediate call to the last chance handler, a routine that the user
must define with the following profile:
 
@smallexample @c ada
procedure Last_Chance_Handler
  (Source_Location : System.Address; Line : Integer);
pragma Export (C, Last_Chance_Handler,
               "__gnat_last_chance_handler");
@end smallexample
 
The parameter is a C null-terminated string representing a message to be
associated with the exception (typically the source location of the raise
statement generated by the compiler). The Line parameter when nonzero
represents the line number in the source program where the raise occurs.
 
@node No_Exception_Propagation
@unnumberedsubsec No_Exception_Propagation
@findex No_Exception_Propagation
[GNAT] This restriction guarantees that exceptions are never propagated
to an outer subprogram scope. The only case in which an exception may
be raised is when the handler is statically in the same subprogram, so
that the effect of a raise is essentially like a goto statement. Any
other raise statement (implicit or explicit) will be considered
unhandled. Exception handlers are allowed, but may not contain an
exception occurrence identifier (exception choice). In addition, use of
the package GNAT.Current_Exception is not permitted, and reraise
statements (raise with no operand) are not permitted.
 
@node No_Exception_Registration
@unnumberedsubsec No_Exception_Registration
@findex No_Exception_Registration
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no stream operations for
types Exception_Id or Exception_Occurrence are used. This also makes it
impossible to pass exceptions to or from a partition with this restriction
in a distributed environment. If this exception is active, then the generated
code is simplified by omitting the otherwise-required global registration
of exceptions when they are declared.
 
@node No_Exceptions
@unnumberedsubsec No_Exceptions
@findex No_Exceptions
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
raise statements and no exception handlers.
 
@node No_Finalization
@unnumberedsubsec No_Finalization
@findex No_Finalization
[GNAT] This restriction disables the language features described in
chapter 7.6 of the Ada 2005 RM as well as all form of code generation
performed by the compiler to support these features. The following types
are no longer considered controlled when this restriction is in effect:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{Ada.Finalization.Controlled}
@item
@code{Ada.Finalization.Limited_Controlled}
@item
Derivations from @code{Controlled} or @code{Limited_Controlled}
@item
Class-wide types
@item
Protected types
@item
Task types
@item
Array and record types with controlled components
@end itemize
The compiler no longer generates code to initialize, finalize or adjust an
object or a nested component, either declared on the stack or on the heap. The
deallocation of a controlled object no longer finalizes its contents.
 
@node No_Fixed_Point
@unnumberedsubsec No_Fixed_Point
@findex No_Fixed_Point
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of fixed point types and operations.
 
@node No_Floating_Point
@unnumberedsubsec No_Floating_Point
@findex No_Floating_Point
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of floating point types and operations.
 
@node No_Implicit_Conditionals
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implicit_Conditionals
@findex No_Implicit_Conditionals
[GNAT] This restriction ensures that the generated code does not contain any
implicit conditionals, either by modifying the generated code where possible,
or by rejecting any construct that would otherwise generate an implicit
conditional. Note that this check does not include run time constraint
checks, which on some targets may generate implicit conditionals as
well. To control the latter, constraint checks can be suppressed in the
normal manner. Constructs generating implicit conditionals include comparisons
of composite objects and the Max/Min attributes.
 
@node No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code
@findex No_Implicit_Dynamic_Code
@cindex trampoline
[GNAT] This restriction prevents the compiler from building ``trampolines''.
This is a structure that is built on the stack and contains dynamic
code to be executed at run time. On some targets, a trampoline is
built for the following features: @code{Access},
@code{Unrestricted_Access}, or @code{Address} of a nested subprogram;
nested task bodies; primitive operations of nested tagged types.
Trampolines do not work on machines that prevent execution of stack
data. For example, on windows systems, enabling DEP (data execution
protection) will cause trampolines to raise an exception.
Trampolines are also quite slow at run time.
 
On many targets, trampolines have been largely eliminated. Look at the
version of system.ads for your target --- if it has
Always_Compatible_Rep equal to False, then trampolines are largely
eliminated. In particular, a trampoline is built for the following
features: @code{Address} of a nested subprogram;
@code{Access} or @code{Unrestricted_Access} of a nested subprogram,
but only if pragma Favor_Top_Level applies, or the access type has a
foreign-language convention; primitive operations of nested tagged
types.
 
@node No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations
@findex No_Implicit_Heap_Allocations
[RM D.7] No constructs are allowed to cause implicit heap allocation.
 
@node No_Implicit_Loops
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implicit_Loops
@findex No_Implicit_Loops
[GNAT] This restriction ensures that the generated code does not contain any
implicit @code{for} loops, either by modifying
the generated code where possible,
or by rejecting any construct that would otherwise generate an implicit
@code{for} loop. If this restriction is active, it is possible to build
large array aggregates with all static components without generating an
intermediate temporary, and without generating a loop to initialize individual
components. Otherwise, a loop is created for arrays larger than about 5000
scalar components.
 
@node No_Initialize_Scalars
@unnumberedsubsec No_Initialize_Scalars
@findex No_Initialize_Scalars
[GNAT] This restriction ensures that no unit in the partition is compiled with
pragma Initialize_Scalars. This allows the generation of more efficient
code, and in particular eliminates dummy null initialization routines that
are otherwise generated for some record and array types.
 
@node No_IO
@unnumberedsubsec No_IO
@findex No_IO
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
dependences on any of the library units Sequential_IO, Direct_IO,
Text_IO, Wide_Text_IO, Wide_Wide_Text_IO, or Stream_IO.
 
@node No_Local_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Local_Allocators
@findex No_Local_Allocators
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of an allocator in subprograms, generic subprograms, tasks,
and entry bodies.
 
@node No_Local_Protected_Objects
@unnumberedsubsec No_Local_Protected_Objects
@findex No_Local_Protected_Objects
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time that protected objects are
only declared at the library level.
 
@node No_Local_Timing_Events
@unnumberedsubsec No_Local_Timing_Events
@findex No_Local_Timing_Events
[RM D.7] All objects of type Ada.Timing_Events.Timing_Event are
declared at the library level.
 
@node No_Nested_Finalization
@unnumberedsubsec No_Nested_Finalization
@findex No_Nested_Finalization
[RM D.7] All objects requiring finalization are declared at the library level.
 
@node No_Protected_Type_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Protected_Type_Allocators
@findex No_Protected_Type_Allocators
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no allocator
expressions that attempt to allocate protected objects.
 
@node No_Protected_Types
@unnumberedsubsec No_Protected_Types
@findex No_Protected_Types
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
declarations of protected types or protected objects.
 
@node No_Recursion
@unnumberedsubsec No_Recursion
@findex No_Recursion
[RM H.4] A program execution is erroneous if a subprogram is invoked as
part of its execution.
 
@node No_Reentrancy
@unnumberedsubsec No_Reentrancy
@findex No_Reentrancy
[RM H.4] A program execution is erroneous if a subprogram is executed by
two tasks at the same time.
 
@node No_Relative_Delay
@unnumberedsubsec No_Relative_Delay
@findex No_Relative_Delay
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no delay
relative statements and prevents expressions such as @code{delay 1.23;} from
appearing in source code.
 
@node No_Requeue_Statements
@unnumberedsubsec No_Requeue_Statements
@findex No_Requeue_Statements
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time that no requeue statements
are permitted and prevents keyword @code{requeue} from being used in source
code.
 
@node No_Secondary_Stack
@unnumberedsubsec No_Secondary_Stack
@findex No_Secondary_Stack
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that the generated code
does not contain any reference to the secondary stack.  The secondary
stack is used to implement functions returning unconstrained objects
(arrays or records) on some targets.
 
@node No_Select_Statements
@unnumberedsubsec No_Select_Statements
@findex No_Select_Statements
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time no select statements of any
kind are permitted, that is the keyword @code{select} may not appear.
 
@node No_Specific_Termination_Handlers
@unnumberedsubsec No_Specific_Termination_Handlers
@findex No_Specific_Termination_Handlers
[RM D.7] There are no calls to Ada.Task_Termination.Set_Specific_Handler
or to Ada.Task_Termination.Specific_Handler.
 
@node No_Specification_of_Aspect
@unnumberedsubsec No_Specification_of_Aspect
@findex No_Specification_of_Aspect
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no aspect
specification, attribute definition clause, or pragma is given for a
given aspect.
 
@node No_Standard_Allocators_After_Elaboration
@unnumberedsubsec No_Standard_Allocators_After_Elaboration
@findex No_Standard_Allocators_After_Elaboration
[RM D.7] Specifies that an allocator using a standard storage pool
should never be evaluated at run time after the elaboration of the
library items of the partition has completed. Otherwise, Storage_Error
is raised.
 
@node No_Standard_Storage_Pools
@unnumberedsubsec No_Standard_Storage_Pools
@findex No_Standard_Storage_Pools
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no access types
use the standard default storage pool.  Any access type declared must
have an explicit Storage_Pool attribute defined specifying a
user-defined storage pool.
 
@node No_Stream_Optimizations
@unnumberedsubsec No_Stream_Optimizations
@findex No_Stream_Optimizations
[GNAT] This restriction affects the performance of stream operations on types
@code{String}, @code{Wide_String} and @code{Wide_Wide_String}. By default, the
compiler uses block reads and writes when manipulating @code{String} objects
due to their supperior performance. When this restriction is in effect, the
compiler performs all IO operations on a per-character basis.
 
@node No_Streams
@unnumberedsubsec No_Streams
@findex No_Streams
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile/bind time that there are no
stream objects created and no use of stream attributes.
This restriction does not forbid dependences on the package
@code{Ada.Streams}. So it is permissible to with
@code{Ada.Streams} (or another package that does so itself)
as long as no actual stream objects are created and no
stream attributes are used.
 
Note that the use of restriction allows optimization of tagged types,
since they do not need to worry about dispatching stream operations.
To take maximum advantage of this space-saving optimization, any
unit declaring a tagged type should be compiled with the restriction,
though this is not required.
 
@node No_Task_Allocators
@unnumberedsubsec No_Task_Allocators
@findex No_Task_Allocators
[RM D.7] There are no allocators for task types
or types containing task subcomponents.
 
@node No_Task_Attributes_Package
@unnumberedsubsec No_Task_Attributes_Package
@findex No_Task_Attributes_Package
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no implicit or
explicit dependencies on the package @code{Ada.Task_Attributes}.
 
@node No_Task_Hierarchy
@unnumberedsubsec No_Task_Hierarchy
@findex No_Task_Hierarchy
[RM D.7] All (non-environment) tasks depend
directly on the environment task of the partition.
 
@node No_Task_Termination
@unnumberedsubsec No_Task_Termination
@findex No_Task_Termination
[RM D.7] Tasks which terminate are erroneous.
 
@node No_Tasking
@unnumberedsubsec No_Tasking
@findex No_Tasking
[GNAT] This restriction prevents the declaration of tasks or task types
throughout the partition.  It is similar in effect to the use of
@code{Max_Tasks => 0} except that violations are caught at compile time
and cause an error message to be output either by the compiler or
binder.
 
@node No_Terminate_Alternatives
@unnumberedsubsec No_Terminate_Alternatives
@findex No_Terminate_Alternatives
[RM D.7] There are no selective accepts with terminate alternatives.
 
@node No_Unchecked_Access
@unnumberedsubsec No_Unchecked_Access
@findex No_Unchecked_Access
[RM H.4] This restriction ensures at compile time that there are no
occurrences of the Unchecked_Access attribute.
 
@node Simple_Barriers
@unnumberedsubsec Simple_Barriers
@findex Simple_Barriers
[RM D.7] This restriction ensures at compile time that barriers in entry
declarations for protected types are restricted to either static boolean
expressions or references to simple boolean variables defined in the private
part of the protected type.  No other form of entry barriers is permitted.
 
@node Static_Priorities
@unnumberedsubsec Static_Priorities
@findex Static_Priorities
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that all priority expressions
are static, and that there are no dependences on the package
@code{Ada.Dynamic_Priorities}.
 
@node Static_Storage_Size
@unnumberedsubsec Static_Storage_Size
@findex Static_Storage_Size
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that any expression appearing
in a Storage_Size pragma or attribute definition clause is static.
 
@node Program Unit Level Restrictions
@section Program Unit Level Restrictions
 
@noindent
The second set of restriction identifiers
does not require partition-wide consistency.
The restriction may be enforced for a single
compilation unit without any effect on any of the
other compilation units in the partition.
 
@menu
* No_Elaboration_Code::
* No_Entry_Queue::
* No_Implementation_Aspect_Specifications::
* No_Implementation_Attributes::
* No_Implementation_Identifiers::
* No_Implementation_Pragmas::
* No_Implementation_Restrictions::
* No_Implementation_Units::
* No_Implicit_Aliasing::
* No_Obsolescent_Features::
* No_Wide_Characters::
* SPARK::
@end menu
 
@node No_Elaboration_Code
@unnumberedsubsec No_Elaboration_Code
@findex No_Elaboration_Code
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no elaboration code is
generated.  Note that this is not the same condition as is enforced
by pragma @code{Preelaborate}.  There are cases in which pragma
@code{Preelaborate} still permits code to be generated (e.g.@: code
to initialize a large array to all zeroes), and there are cases of units
which do not meet the requirements for pragma @code{Preelaborate},
but for which no elaboration code is generated.  Generally, it is
the case that preelaborable units will meet the restrictions, with
the exception of large aggregates initialized with an others_clause,
and exception declarations (which generate calls to a run-time
registry procedure).  This restriction is enforced on
a unit by unit basis, it need not be obeyed consistently
throughout a partition.
 
In the case of aggregates with others, if the aggregate has a dynamic
size, there is no way to eliminate the elaboration code (such dynamic
bounds would be incompatible with @code{Preelaborate} in any case). If
the bounds are static, then use of this restriction actually modifies
the code choice of the compiler to avoid generating a loop, and instead
generate the aggregate statically if possible, no matter how many times
the data for the others clause must be repeatedly generated.
 
It is not possible to precisely document
the constructs which are compatible with this restriction, since,
unlike most other restrictions, this is not a restriction on the
source code, but a restriction on the generated object code. For
example, if the source contains a declaration:
 
@smallexample
   Val : constant Integer := X;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where X is not a static constant, it may be possible, depending
on complex optimization circuitry, for the compiler to figure
out the value of X at compile time, in which case this initialization
can be done by the loader, and requires no initialization code. It
is not possible to document the precise conditions under which the
optimizer can figure this out.
 
Note that this the implementation of this restriction requires full
code generation. If it is used in conjunction with "semantics only"
checking, then some cases of violations may be missed.
 
@node No_Entry_Queue
@unnumberedsubsec No_Entry_Queue
@findex No_Entry_Queue
[GNAT] This restriction is a declaration that any protected entry compiled in
the scope of the restriction has at most one task waiting on the entry
at any one time, and so no queue is required.  This restriction is not
checked at compile time.  A program execution is erroneous if an attempt
is made to queue a second task on such an entry.
 
@node No_Implementation_Aspect_Specifications
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Aspect_Specifications
@findex No_Implementation_Aspect_Specifications
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no
GNAT-defined aspects are present.  With this restriction, the only
aspects that can be used are those defined in the Ada Reference Manual.
 
@node No_Implementation_Attributes
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Attributes
@findex No_Implementation_Attributes
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no
GNAT-defined attributes are present.  With this restriction, the only
attributes that can be used are those defined in the Ada Reference
Manual.
 
@node No_Implementation_Identifiers
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Identifiers
@findex No_Implementation_Identifiers
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no
implementation-defined identifiers occur within language-defined
packages.
 
@node No_Implementation_Pragmas
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Pragmas
@findex No_Implementation_Pragmas
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no
GNAT-defined pragmas are present.  With this restriction, the only
pragmas that can be used are those defined in the Ada Reference Manual.
 
@node No_Implementation_Restrictions
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Restrictions
@findex No_Implementation_Restrictions
[GNAT] This restriction checks at compile time that no GNAT-defined restriction
identifiers (other than @code{No_Implementation_Restrictions} itself)
are present.  With this restriction, the only other restriction identifiers
that can be used are those defined in the Ada Reference Manual.
 
@node No_Implementation_Units
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implementation_Units
@findex No_Implementation_Units
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that there is no
mention in the context clause of any implementation-defined descendants
of packages Ada, Interfaces, or System.
 
@node No_Implicit_Aliasing
@unnumberedsubsec No_Implicit_Aliasing
@findex No_Implicit_Aliasing
[GNAT] This restriction, which is not required to be partition-wide consistent,
requires an explicit aliased keyword for an object to which 'Access,
'Unchecked_Access, or 'Address is applied, and forbids entirely the use of
the 'Unrestricted_Access attribute for objects. Note: the reason that
Unrestricted_Access is forbidden is that it would require the prefix
to be aliased, and in such cases, it can always be replaced by
the standard attribute Unchecked_Access which is preferable.
 
@node No_Obsolescent_Features
@unnumberedsubsec No_Obsolescent_Features
@findex No_Obsolescent_Features
[RM 13.12.1] This restriction checks at compile time that no obsolescent
features are used, as defined in Annex J of the Ada Reference Manual.
 
@node No_Wide_Characters
@unnumberedsubsec No_Wide_Characters
@findex No_Wide_Characters
[GNAT] This restriction ensures at compile time that no uses of the types
@code{Wide_Character} or @code{Wide_String} or corresponding wide
wide types
appear, and that no wide or wide wide string or character literals
appear in the program (that is literals representing characters not in
type @code{Character}.
 
@node SPARK
@unnumberedsubsec SPARK
@findex SPARK
[GNAT] This restriction checks at compile time that some constructs
forbidden in SPARK are not present. The SPARK version used as a
reference is the same as the Ada mode for the unit, so a unit compiled
in Ada 95 mode with SPARK restrictions will be checked for constructs
forbidden in SPARK 95.  Error messages related to SPARK restriction have
the form:
 
@smallexample
violation of restriction "SPARK" at <file>
 <error message>
@end smallexample
 
This is not a replacement for the semantic checks performed by the
SPARK Examiner tool, as the compiler only deals currently with code,
not at all with SPARK annotations and does not guarantee catching all
cases of constructs forbidden by SPARK.
 
Thus it may well be the case that code which
passes the compiler in SPARK mode is rejected by the SPARK Examiner,
e.g. due to the different visibility rules of the Examiner based on
SPARK @code{inherit} annotations.
 
This restriction can be useful in providing an initial filter for
code developed using SPARK, or in examining legacy code to see how far
it is from meeting SPARK restrictions.
 
@c ------------------------
@node Implementation Advice
@chapter Implementation Advice
@noindent
The main text of the Ada Reference Manual describes the required
behavior of all Ada compilers, and the GNAT compiler conforms to
these requirements.
 
In addition, there are sections throughout the Ada Reference Manual headed
by the phrase ``Implementation advice''.  These sections are not normative,
i.e., they do not specify requirements that all compilers must
follow.  Rather they provide advice on generally desirable behavior.  You
may wonder why they are not requirements.  The most typical answer is
that they describe behavior that seems generally desirable, but cannot
be provided on all systems, or which may be undesirable on some systems.
 
As far as practical, GNAT follows the implementation advice sections in
the Ada Reference Manual.  This chapter contains a table giving the
reference manual section number, paragraph number and several keywords
for each advice.  Each entry consists of the text of the advice followed
by the GNAT interpretation of this advice.  Most often, this simply says
``followed'', which means that GNAT follows the advice.  However, in a
number of cases, GNAT deliberately deviates from this advice, in which
case the text describes what GNAT does and why.
 
@cindex Error detection
@unnumberedsec 1.1.3(20): Error Detection
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation detects the use of an unsupported Specialized Needs
Annex feature at run time, it should raise @code{Program_Error} if
feasible.
@end cartouche
Not relevant.  All specialized needs annex features are either supported,
or diagnosed at compile time.
 
@cindex Child Units
@unnumberedsec 1.1.3(31): Child Units
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation wishes to provide implementation-defined
extensions to the functionality of a language-defined library unit, it
should normally do so by adding children to the library unit.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Bounded errors
@unnumberedsec 1.1.5(12): Bounded Errors
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation detects a bounded error or erroneous
execution, it should raise @code{Program_Error}.
@end cartouche
Followed in all cases in which the implementation detects a bounded
error or erroneous execution.  Not all such situations are detected at
runtime.
 
@cindex Pragmas
@unnumberedsec 2.8(16): Pragmas
@sp 1
@cartouche
Normally, implementation-defined pragmas should have no semantic effect
for error-free programs; that is, if the implementation-defined pragmas
are removed from a working program, the program should still be legal,
and should still have the same semantics.
@end cartouche
The following implementation defined pragmas are exceptions to this
rule:
 
@table @code
@item Abort_Defer
Affects semantics
@item Ada_83
Affects legality
@item Assert
Affects semantics
@item CPP_Class
Affects semantics
@item CPP_Constructor
Affects semantics
@item Debug
Affects semantics
@item Interface_Name
Affects semantics
@item Machine_Attribute
Affects semantics
@item Unimplemented_Unit
Affects legality
@item Unchecked_Union
Affects semantics
@end table
 
@noindent
In each of the above cases, it is essential to the purpose of the pragma
that this advice not be followed.  For details see the separate section
on implementation defined pragmas.
 
@unnumberedsec 2.8(17-19): Pragmas
@sp 1
@cartouche
Normally, an implementation should not define pragmas that can
make an illegal program legal, except as follows:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
A pragma used to complete a declaration, such as a pragma @code{Import};
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
A pragma used to configure the environment by adding, removing, or
replacing @code{library_items}.
@end cartouche
See response to paragraph 16 of this same section.
 
@cindex Character Sets
@cindex Alternative Character Sets
@unnumberedsec 3.5.2(5): Alternative Character Sets
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation supports a mode with alternative interpretations
for @code{Character} and @code{Wide_Character}, the set of graphic
characters of @code{Character} should nevertheless remain a proper
subset of the set of graphic characters of @code{Wide_Character}.  Any
character set ``localizations'' should be reflected in the results of
the subprograms defined in the language-defined package
@code{Characters.Handling} (see A.3) available in such a mode.  In a mode with
an alternative interpretation of @code{Character}, the implementation should
also support a corresponding change in what is a legal
@code{identifier_letter}.
@end cartouche
Not all wide character modes follow this advice, in particular the JIS
and IEC modes reflect standard usage in Japan, and in these encoding,
the upper half of the Latin-1 set is not part of the wide-character
subset, since the most significant bit is used for wide character
encoding.  However, this only applies to the external forms.  Internally
there is no such restriction.
 
@cindex Integer types
@unnumberedsec 3.5.4(28): Integer Types
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support @code{Long_Integer} in addition to
@code{Integer} if the target machine supports 32-bit (or longer)
arithmetic.  No other named integer subtypes are recommended for package
@code{Standard}.  Instead, appropriate named integer subtypes should be
provided in the library package @code{Interfaces} (see B.2).
@end cartouche
@code{Long_Integer} is supported.  Other standard integer types are supported
so this advice is not fully followed.  These types
are supported for convenient interface to C, and so that all hardware
types of the machine are easily available.
@unnumberedsec 3.5.4(29): Integer Types
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation for a two's complement machine should support
modular types with a binary modulus up to @code{System.Max_Int*2+2}.  An
implementation should support a non-binary modules up to @code{Integer'Last}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Enumeration values
@unnumberedsec 3.5.5(8): Enumeration Values
@sp 1
@cartouche
For the evaluation of a call on @code{@var{S}'Pos} for an enumeration
subtype, if the value of the operand does not correspond to the internal
code for any enumeration literal of its type (perhaps due to an
un-initialized variable), then the implementation should raise
@code{Program_Error}.  This is particularly important for enumeration
types with noncontiguous internal codes specified by an
enumeration_representation_clause.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Float types
@unnumberedsec 3.5.7(17): Float Types
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support @code{Long_Float} in addition to
@code{Float} if the target machine supports 11 or more digits of
precision.  No other named floating point subtypes are recommended for
package @code{Standard}.  Instead, appropriate named floating point subtypes
should be provided in the library package @code{Interfaces} (see B.2).
@end cartouche
@code{Short_Float} and @code{Long_Long_Float} are also provided.  The
former provides improved compatibility with other implementations
supporting this type.  The latter corresponds to the highest precision
floating-point type supported by the hardware.  On most machines, this
will be the same as @code{Long_Float}, but on some machines, it will
correspond to the IEEE extended form.  The notable case is all ia32
(x86) implementations, where @code{Long_Long_Float} corresponds to
the 80-bit extended precision format supported in hardware on this
processor.  Note that the 128-bit format on SPARC is not supported,
since this is a software rather than a hardware format.
 
@cindex Multidimensional arrays
@cindex Arrays, multidimensional
@unnumberedsec 3.6.2(11): Multidimensional Arrays
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should normally represent multidimensional arrays in
row-major order, consistent with the notation used for multidimensional
array aggregates (see 4.3.3).  However, if a pragma @code{Convention}
(@code{Fortran}, @dots{}) applies to a multidimensional array type, then
column-major order should be used instead (see B.5, ``Interfacing with
Fortran'').
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@findex Duration'Small
@unnumberedsec 9.6(30-31): Duration'Small
@sp 1
@cartouche
Whenever possible in an implementation, the value of @code{Duration'Small}
should be no greater than 100 microseconds.
@end cartouche
Followed.  (@code{Duration'Small} = 10**(@minus{}9)).
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The time base for @code{delay_relative_statements} should be monotonic;
it need not be the same time base as used for @code{Calendar.Clock}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@unnumberedsec 10.2.1(12): Consistent Representation
@sp 1
@cartouche
In an implementation, a type declared in a pre-elaborated package should
have the same representation in every elaboration of a given version of
the package, whether the elaborations occur in distinct executions of
the same program, or in executions of distinct programs or partitions
that include the given version.
@end cartouche
Followed, except in the case of tagged types.  Tagged types involve
implicit pointers to a local copy of a dispatch table, and these pointers
have representations which thus depend on a particular elaboration of the
package.  It is not easy to see how it would be possible to follow this
advice without severely impacting efficiency of execution.
 
@cindex Exception information
@unnumberedsec 11.4.1(19): Exception Information
@sp 1
@cartouche
@code{Exception_Message} by default and @code{Exception_Information}
should produce information useful for
debugging.  @code{Exception_Message} should be short, about one
line.  @code{Exception_Information} can be long.  @code{Exception_Message}
should not include the
@code{Exception_Name}.  @code{Exception_Information} should include both
the @code{Exception_Name} and the @code{Exception_Message}.
@end cartouche
Followed.  For each exception that doesn't have a specified
@code{Exception_Message}, the compiler generates one containing the location
of the raise statement.  This location has the form ``file:line'', where
file is the short file name (without path information) and line is the line
number in the file.  Note that in the case of the Zero Cost Exception
mechanism, these messages become redundant with the Exception_Information that
contains a full backtrace of the calling sequence, so they are disabled.
To disable explicitly the generation of the source location message, use the
Pragma @code{Discard_Names}.
 
@cindex Suppression of checks
@cindex Checks, suppression of
@unnumberedsec 11.5(28): Suppression of Checks
@sp 1
@cartouche
The implementation should minimize the code executed for checks that
have been suppressed.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Representation clauses
@unnumberedsec 13.1 (21-24): Representation Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for all representation items is
qualified as follows:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support representation items containing
non-static expressions, except that an implementation should support a
representation item for a given entity if each non-static expression in
the representation item is a name that statically denotes a constant
declared before the entity.
@end cartouche
Followed.  In fact, GNAT goes beyond the recommended level of support
by allowing nonstatic expressions in some representation clauses even
without the need to declare constants initialized with the values of
such expressions.
For example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
  X : Integer;
  Y : Float;
  for Y'Address use X'Address;>>
@end smallexample
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support a specification for the @code{Size}
for a given composite subtype, nor the size or storage place for an
object (including a component) of a given composite subtype, unless the
constraints on the subtype and its composite subcomponents (if any) are
all static constraints.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Size Clauses are not permitted on non-static components, as
described above.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An aliased component, or a component whose type is by-reference, should
always be allocated at an addressable location.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Packed types
@unnumberedsec 13.2(6-8): Packed Types
@sp 1
@cartouche
If a type is packed, then the implementation should try to minimize
storage allocated to objects of the type, possibly at the expense of
speed of accessing components, subject to reasonable complexity in
addressing calculations.
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support pragma @code{Pack} is:
 
For a packed record type, the components should be packed as tightly as
possible subject to the Sizes of the component subtypes, and subject to
any @code{record_representation_clause} that applies to the type; the
implementation may, but need not, reorder components or cross aligned
word boundaries to improve the packing.  A component whose @code{Size} is
greater than the word size may be allocated an integral number of words.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Tight packing of arrays is supported for all component sizes
up to 64-bits. If the array component size is 1 (that is to say, if
the component is a boolean type or an enumeration type with two values)
then values of the type are implicitly initialized to zero. This
happens both for objects of the packed type, and for objects that have a
subcomponent of the packed type.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support Address clauses for imported
subprograms.
@end cartouche
Followed.
@cindex @code{Address} clauses
@unnumberedsec 13.3(14-19): Address Clauses
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
For an array @var{X}, @code{@var{X}'Address} should point at the first
component of the array, and not at the array bounds.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Address} attribute is:
 
@code{@var{X}'Address} should produce a useful result if @var{X} is an
object that is aliased or of a by-reference type, or is an entity whose
@code{Address} has been specified.
@end cartouche
Followed.  A valid address will be produced even if none of those
conditions have been met.  If necessary, the object is forced into
memory to ensure the address is valid.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support @code{Address} clauses for imported
subprograms.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Objects (including subcomponents) that are aliased or of a by-reference
type should be allocated on storage element boundaries.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the @code{Address} of an object is specified, or it is imported or exported,
then the implementation should not perform optimizations based on
assumptions of no aliases.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex @code{Alignment} clauses
@unnumberedsec 13.3(29-35): Alignment Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Alignment} attribute for
subtypes is:
 
An implementation should support specified Alignments that are factors
and multiples of the number of storage elements per word, subject to the
following:
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support specified @code{Alignment}s for
combinations of @code{Size}s and @code{Alignment}s that cannot be easily
loaded and stored by available machine instructions.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support specified @code{Alignment}s that are
greater than the maximum @code{Alignment} the implementation ever returns by
default.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Alignment} attribute for
objects is:
 
Same as above, for subtypes, but in addition:
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
For stand-alone library-level objects of statically constrained
subtypes, the implementation should support all @code{Alignment}s
supported by the target linker.  For example, page alignment is likely to
be supported for such objects, but not for subtypes.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex @code{Size} clauses
@unnumberedsec 13.3(42-43): Size Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Size} attribute of
objects is:
 
A @code{Size} clause should be supported for an object if the specified
@code{Size} is at least as large as its subtype's @code{Size}, and
corresponds to a size in storage elements that is a multiple of the
object's @code{Alignment} (if the @code{Alignment} is nonzero).
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@unnumberedsec 13.3(50-56): Size Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the @code{Size} of a subtype is specified, and allows for efficient
independent addressability (see 9.10) on the target architecture, then
the @code{Size} of the following objects of the subtype should equal the
@code{Size} of the subtype:
 
Aliased objects (including components).
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@code{Size} clause on a composite subtype should not affect the
internal layout of components.
@end cartouche
Followed. But note that this can be overridden by use of the implementation
pragma Implicit_Packing in the case of packed arrays.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Size} attribute of subtypes is:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
The @code{Size} (if not specified) of a static discrete or fixed point
subtype should be the number of bits needed to represent each value
belonging to the subtype using an unbiased representation, leaving space
for a sign bit only if the subtype contains negative values.  If such a
subtype is a first subtype, then an implementation should support a
specified @code{Size} for it that reflects this representation.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
For a subtype implemented with levels of indirection, the @code{Size}
should include the size of the pointers, but not the size of what they
point at.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex @code{Component_Size} clauses
@unnumberedsec 13.3(71-73): Component Size Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the @code{Component_Size}
attribute is:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support specified @code{Component_Sizes} that are
less than the @code{Size} of the component subtype.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support specified @code{Component_Size}s that
are factors and multiples of the word size.  For such
@code{Component_Size}s, the array should contain no gaps between
components.  For other @code{Component_Size}s (if supported), the array
should contain no gaps between components when packing is also
specified; the implementation should forbid this combination in cases
where it cannot support a no-gaps representation.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Enumeration representation clauses
@cindex Representation clauses, enumeration
@unnumberedsec 13.4(9-10): Enumeration Representation Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for enumeration representation clauses
is:
 
An implementation need not support enumeration representation clauses
for boolean types, but should at minimum support the internal codes in
the range @code{System.Min_Int.System.Max_Int}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Record representation clauses
@cindex Representation clauses, records
@unnumberedsec 13.5.1(17-22): Record Representation Clauses
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for
@*@code{record_representation_clauses} is:
 
An implementation should support storage places that can be extracted
with a load, mask, shift sequence of machine code, and set with a load,
shift, mask, store sequence, given the available machine instructions
and run-time model.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
A storage place should be supported if its size is equal to the
@code{Size} of the component subtype, and it starts and ends on a
boundary that obeys the @code{Alignment} of the component subtype.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the default bit ordering applies to the declaration of a given type,
then for a component whose subtype's @code{Size} is less than the word
size, any storage place that does not cross an aligned word boundary
should be supported.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation may reserve a storage place for the tag field of a
tagged type, and disallow other components from overlapping that place.
@end cartouche
Followed.  The storage place for the tag field is the beginning of the tagged
record, and its size is Address'Size.  GNAT will reject an explicit component
clause for the tag field.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation need not support a @code{component_clause} for a
component of an extension part if the storage place is not after the
storage places of all components of the parent type, whether or not
those storage places had been specified.
@end cartouche
Followed.  The above advice on record representation clauses is followed,
and all mentioned features are implemented.
 
@cindex Storage place attributes
@unnumberedsec 13.5.2(5): Storage Place Attributes
@sp 1
@cartouche
If a component is represented using some form of pointer (such as an
offset) to the actual data of the component, and this data is contiguous
with the rest of the object, then the storage place attributes should
reflect the place of the actual data, not the pointer.  If a component is
allocated discontinuously from the rest of the object, then a warning
should be generated upon reference to one of its storage place
attributes.
@end cartouche
Followed.  There are no such components in GNAT@.
 
@cindex Bit ordering
@unnumberedsec 13.5.3(7-8): Bit Ordering
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for the non-default bit ordering is:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
If @code{Word_Size} = @code{Storage_Unit}, then the implementation
should support the non-default bit ordering in addition to the default
bit ordering.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Word size does not equal storage size in this implementation.
Thus non-default bit ordering is not supported.
 
@cindex @code{Address}, as private type
@unnumberedsec 13.7(37): Address as Private
@sp 1
@cartouche
@code{Address} should be of a private type.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Operations, on @code{Address}
@cindex @code{Address}, operations of
@unnumberedsec 13.7.1(16): Address Operations
@sp 1
@cartouche
Operations in @code{System} and its children should reflect the target
environment semantics as closely as is reasonable.  For example, on most
machines, it makes sense for address arithmetic to ``wrap around''.
Operations that do not make sense should raise @code{Program_Error}.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Address arithmetic is modular arithmetic that wraps around.  No
operation raises @code{Program_Error}, since all operations make sense.
 
@cindex Unchecked conversion
@unnumberedsec 13.9(14-17): Unchecked Conversion
@sp 1
@cartouche
The @code{Size} of an array object should not include its bounds; hence,
the bounds should not be part of the converted data.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The implementation should not generate unnecessary run-time checks to
ensure that the representation of @var{S} is a representation of the
target type.  It should take advantage of the permission to return by
reference when possible.  Restrictions on unchecked conversions should be
avoided unless required by the target environment.
@end cartouche
Followed.  There are no restrictions on unchecked conversion.  A warning is
generated if the source and target types do not have the same size since
the semantics in this case may be target dependent.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The recommended level of support for unchecked conversions is:
@end cartouche
@sp 1
@cartouche
Unchecked conversions should be supported and should be reversible in
the cases where this clause defines the result.  To enable meaningful use
of unchecked conversion, a contiguous representation should be used for
elementary subtypes, for statically constrained array subtypes whose
component subtype is one of the subtypes described in this paragraph,
and for record subtypes without discriminants whose component subtypes
are described in this paragraph.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Heap usage, implicit
@unnumberedsec 13.11(23-25): Implicit Heap Usage
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should document any cases in which it dynamically
allocates heap storage for a purpose other than the evaluation of an
allocator.
@end cartouche
Followed, the only other points at which heap storage is dynamically
allocated are as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
At initial elaboration time, to allocate dynamically sized global
objects.
 
@item
To allocate space for a task when a task is created.
 
@item
To extend the secondary stack dynamically when needed.  The secondary
stack is used for returning variable length results.
@end itemize
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
A default (implementation-provided) storage pool for an
access-to-constant type should not have overhead to support deallocation of
individual objects.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
A storage pool for an anonymous access type should be created at the
point of an allocator for the type, and be reclaimed when the designated
object becomes inaccessible.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Unchecked deallocation
@unnumberedsec 13.11.2(17): Unchecked De-allocation
@sp 1
@cartouche
For a standard storage pool, @code{Free} should actually reclaim the
storage.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Stream oriented attributes
@unnumberedsec 13.13.2(17): Stream Oriented Attributes
@sp 1
@cartouche
If a stream element is the same size as a storage element, then the
normal in-memory representation should be used by @code{Read} and
@code{Write} for scalar objects.  Otherwise, @code{Read} and @code{Write}
should use the smallest number of stream elements needed to represent
all values in the base range of the scalar type.
@end cartouche
 
Followed.  By default, GNAT uses the interpretation suggested by AI-195,
which specifies using the size of the first subtype.
However, such an implementation is based on direct binary
representations and is therefore target- and endianness-dependent.
To address this issue, GNAT also supplies an alternate implementation
of the stream attributes @code{Read} and @code{Write},
which uses the target-independent XDR standard representation
for scalar types.
@cindex XDR representation
@cindex @code{Read} attribute
@cindex @code{Write} attribute
@cindex Stream oriented attributes
The XDR implementation is provided as an alternative body of the
@code{System.Stream_Attributes} package, in the file
@file{s-stratt-xdr.adb} in the GNAT library.
There is no @file{s-stratt-xdr.ads} file.
In order to install the XDR implementation, do the following:
@enumerate
@item Replace the default implementation of the
@code{System.Stream_Attributes} package with the XDR implementation.
For example on a Unix platform issue the commands:
@smallexample
$ mv s-stratt.adb s-stratt-default.adb
$ mv s-stratt-xdr.adb s-stratt.adb
@end smallexample
 
@item
Rebuild the GNAT run-time library as documented in
@ref{GNAT and Libraries,,, gnat_ugn, @value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
@end enumerate
 
@unnumberedsec A.1(52): Names of Predefined Numeric Types
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation provides additional named predefined integer types,
then the names should end with @samp{Integer} as in
@samp{Long_Integer}.  If an implementation provides additional named
predefined floating point types, then the names should end with
@samp{Float} as in @samp{Long_Float}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@findex Ada.Characters.Handling
@unnumberedsec A.3.2(49): @code{Ada.Characters.Handling}
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation provides a localized definition of @code{Character}
or @code{Wide_Character}, then the effects of the subprograms in
@code{Characters.Handling} should reflect the localizations.  See also
3.5.2.
@end cartouche
Followed.  GNAT provides no such localized definitions.
 
@cindex Bounded-length strings
@unnumberedsec A.4.4(106): Bounded-Length String Handling
@sp 1
@cartouche
Bounded string objects should not be implemented by implicit pointers
and dynamic allocation.
@end cartouche
Followed.  No implicit pointers or dynamic allocation are used.
 
@cindex Random number generation
@unnumberedsec A.5.2(46-47): Random Number Generation
@sp 1
@cartouche
Any storage associated with an object of type @code{Generator} should be
reclaimed on exit from the scope of the object.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the generator period is sufficiently long in relation to the number
of distinct initiator values, then each possible value of
@code{Initiator} passed to @code{Reset} should initiate a sequence of
random numbers that does not, in a practical sense, overlap the sequence
initiated by any other value.  If this is not possible, then the mapping
between initiator values and generator states should be a rapidly
varying function of the initiator value.
@end cartouche
Followed.  The generator period is sufficiently long for the first
condition here to hold true.
 
@findex Get_Immediate
@unnumberedsec A.10.7(23): @code{Get_Immediate}
@sp 1
@cartouche
The @code{Get_Immediate} procedures should be implemented with
unbuffered input.  For a device such as a keyboard, input should be
@dfn{available} if a key has already been typed, whereas for a disk
file, input should always be available except at end of file.  For a file
associated with a keyboard-like device, any line-editing features of the
underlying operating system should be disabled during the execution of
@code{Get_Immediate}.
@end cartouche
Followed on all targets except VxWorks. For VxWorks, there is no way to
provide this functionality that does not result in the input buffer being
flushed before the @code{Get_Immediate} call. A special unit
@code{Interfaces.Vxworks.IO} is provided that contains routines to enable
this functionality.
 
@findex Export
@unnumberedsec B.1(39-41): Pragma @code{Export}
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an implementation supports pragma @code{Export} to a given language,
then it should also allow the main subprogram to be written in that
language.  It should support some mechanism for invoking the elaboration
of the Ada library units included in the system, and for invoking the
finalization of the environment task.  On typical systems, the
recommended mechanism is to provide two subprograms whose link names are
@code{adainit} and @code{adafinal}.  @code{adainit} should contain the
elaboration code for library units.  @code{adafinal} should contain the
finalization code.  These subprograms should have no effect the second
and subsequent time they are called.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Automatic elaboration of pre-elaborated packages should be
provided when pragma @code{Export} is supported.
@end cartouche
Followed when the main program is in Ada.  If the main program is in a
foreign language, then
@code{adainit} must be called to elaborate pre-elaborated
packages.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
For each supported convention @var{L} other than @code{Intrinsic}, an
implementation should support @code{Import} and @code{Export} pragmas
for objects of @var{L}-compatible types and for subprograms, and pragma
@code{Convention} for @var{L}-eligible types and for subprograms,
presuming the other language has corresponding features.  Pragma
@code{Convention} need not be supported for scalar types.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Package @code{Interfaces}
@findex Interfaces
@unnumberedsec B.2(12-13): Package @code{Interfaces}
@sp 1
@cartouche
For each implementation-defined convention identifier, there should be a
child package of package Interfaces with the corresponding name.  This
package should contain any declarations that would be useful for
interfacing to the language (implementation) represented by the
convention.  Any declarations useful for interfacing to any language on
the given hardware architecture should be provided directly in
@code{Interfaces}.
@end cartouche
Followed. An additional package not defined
in the Ada Reference Manual is @code{Interfaces.CPP}, used
for interfacing to C++.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation supporting an interface to C, COBOL, or Fortran should
provide the corresponding package or packages described in the following
clauses.
@end cartouche
Followed.  GNAT provides all the packages described in this section.
 
@cindex C, interfacing with
@unnumberedsec B.3(63-71): Interfacing with C
@sp 1
@cartouche
An implementation should support the following interface correspondences
between Ada and C@.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada procedure corresponds to a void-returning C function.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada function corresponds to a non-void C function.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada @code{in} scalar parameter is passed as a scalar argument to a C
function.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada @code{in} parameter of an access-to-object type with designated
type @var{T} is passed as a @code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function,
where @var{t} is the C type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada access @var{T} parameter, or an Ada @code{out} or @code{in out}
parameter of an elementary type @var{T}, is passed as a @code{@var{t}*}
argument to a C function, where @var{t} is the C type corresponding to
the Ada type @var{T}.  In the case of an elementary @code{out} or
@code{in out} parameter, a pointer to a temporary copy is used to
preserve by-copy semantics.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada parameter of a record type @var{T}, of any mode, is passed as a
@code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function, where @var{t} is the C
structure corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
@end cartouche
Followed.  This convention may be overridden by the use of the C_Pass_By_Copy
pragma, or Convention, or by explicitly specifying the mechanism for a given
call using an extended import or export pragma.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada parameter of an array type with component type @var{T}, of any
mode, is passed as a @code{@var{t}*} argument to a C function, where
@var{t} is the C type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada parameter of an access-to-subprogram type is passed as a pointer
to a C function whose prototype corresponds to the designated
subprogram's specification.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex COBOL, interfacing with
@unnumberedsec B.4(95-98): Interfacing with COBOL
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada implementation should support the following interface
correspondences between Ada and COBOL@.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada access @var{T} parameter is passed as a @samp{BY REFERENCE} data item of
the COBOL type corresponding to @var{T}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada in scalar parameter is passed as a @samp{BY CONTENT} data item of
the corresponding COBOL type.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Any other Ada parameter is passed as a @samp{BY REFERENCE} data item of the
COBOL type corresponding to the Ada parameter type; for scalars, a local
copy is used if necessary to ensure by-copy semantics.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Fortran, interfacing with
@unnumberedsec B.5(22-26): Interfacing with Fortran
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada implementation should support the following interface
correspondences between Ada and Fortran:
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada procedure corresponds to a Fortran subroutine.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada function corresponds to a Fortran function.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada parameter of an elementary, array, or record type @var{T} is
passed as a @var{T} argument to a Fortran procedure, where @var{T} is
the Fortran type corresponding to the Ada type @var{T}, and where the
INTENT attribute of the corresponding dummy argument matches the Ada
formal parameter mode; the Fortran implementation's parameter passing
conventions are used.  For elementary types, a local copy is used if
necessary to ensure by-copy semantics.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
An Ada parameter of an access-to-subprogram type is passed as a
reference to a Fortran procedure whose interface corresponds to the
designated subprogram's specification.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Machine operations
@unnumberedsec C.1(3-5): Access to Machine Operations
@sp 1
@cartouche
The machine code or intrinsic support should allow access to all
operations normally available to assembly language programmers for the
target environment, including privileged instructions, if any.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The interfacing pragmas (see Annex B) should support interface to
assembler; the default assembler should be associated with the
convention identifier @code{Assembler}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
If an entity is exported to assembly language, then the implementation
should allocate it at an addressable location, and should ensure that it
is retained by the linking process, even if not otherwise referenced
from the Ada code.  The implementation should assume that any call to a
machine code or assembler subprogram is allowed to read or update every
object that is specified as exported.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@unnumberedsec C.1(10-16): Access to Machine Operations
@sp 1
@cartouche
The implementation should ensure that little or no overhead is
associated with calling intrinsic and machine-code subprograms.
@end cartouche
Followed for both intrinsics and machine-code subprograms.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
It is recommended that intrinsic subprograms be provided for convenient
access to any machine operations that provide special capabilities or
efficiency and that are not otherwise available through the language
constructs.
@end cartouche
Followed.  A full set of machine operation intrinsic subprograms is provided.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Atomic read-modify-write operations---e.g.@:, test and set, compare and
swap, decrement and test, enqueue/dequeue.
@end cartouche
Followed on any target supporting such operations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Standard numeric functions---e.g.@:, sin, log.
@end cartouche
Followed on any target supporting such operations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
String manipulation operations---e.g.@:, translate and test.
@end cartouche
Followed on any target supporting such operations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Vector operations---e.g.@:, compare vector against thresholds.
@end cartouche
Followed on any target supporting such operations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Direct operations on I/O ports.
@end cartouche
Followed on any target supporting such operations.
 
@cindex Interrupt support
@unnumberedsec C.3(28): Interrupt Support
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the @code{Ceiling_Locking} policy is not in effect, the
implementation should provide means for the application to specify which
interrupts are to be blocked during protected actions, if the underlying
system allows for a finer-grain control of interrupt blocking.
@end cartouche
Followed.  The underlying system does not allow for finer-grain control
of interrupt blocking.
 
@cindex Protected procedure handlers
@unnumberedsec C.3.1(20-21): Protected Procedure Handlers
@sp 1
@cartouche
Whenever possible, the implementation should allow interrupt handlers to
be called directly by the hardware.
@end cartouche
@c SGI info:
@ignore
This is never possible under IRIX, so this is followed by default.
@end ignore
Followed on any target where the underlying operating system permits
such direct calls.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Whenever practical, violations of any
implementation-defined restrictions should be detected before run time.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Compile time warnings are given when possible.
 
@cindex Package @code{Interrupts}
@findex Interrupts
@unnumberedsec C.3.2(25): Package @code{Interrupts}
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
If implementation-defined forms of interrupt handler procedures are
supported, such as protected procedures with parameters, then for each
such form of a handler, a type analogous to @code{Parameterless_Handler}
should be specified in a child package of @code{Interrupts}, with the
same operations as in the predefined package Interrupts.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Pre-elaboration requirements
@unnumberedsec C.4(14): Pre-elaboration Requirements
@sp 1
@cartouche
It is recommended that pre-elaborated packages be implemented in such a
way that there should be little or no code executed at run time for the
elaboration of entities not already covered by the Implementation
Requirements.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Executable code is generated in some cases, e.g.@: loops
to initialize large arrays.
 
@unnumberedsec C.5(8): Pragma @code{Discard_Names}
@sp 1
@cartouche
If the pragma applies to an entity, then the implementation should
reduce the amount of storage used for storing names associated with that
entity.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Package @code{Task_Attributes}
@findex Task_Attributes
@unnumberedsec C.7.2(30): The Package Task_Attributes
@sp 1
@cartouche
Some implementations are targeted to domains in which memory use at run
time must be completely deterministic.  For such implementations, it is
recommended that the storage for task attributes will be pre-allocated
statically and not from the heap.  This can be accomplished by either
placing restrictions on the number and the size of the task's
attributes, or by using the pre-allocated storage for the first @var{N}
attribute objects, and the heap for the others.  In the latter case,
@var{N} should be documented.
@end cartouche
Not followed.  This implementation is not targeted to such a domain.
 
@cindex Locking Policies
@unnumberedsec D.3(17): Locking Policies
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The implementation should use names that end with @samp{_Locking} for
locking policies defined by the implementation.
@end cartouche
Followed.  Two implementation-defined locking policies are defined,
whose names (@code{Inheritance_Locking} and
@code{Concurrent_Readers_Locking}) follow this suggestion.
 
@cindex Entry queuing policies
@unnumberedsec D.4(16): Entry Queuing Policies
@sp 1
@cartouche
Names that end with @samp{_Queuing} should be used
for all implementation-defined queuing policies.
@end cartouche
Followed.  No such implementation-defined queuing policies exist.
 
@cindex Preemptive abort
@unnumberedsec D.6(9-10): Preemptive Abort
@sp 1
@cartouche
Even though the @code{abort_statement} is included in the list of
potentially blocking operations (see 9.5.1), it is recommended that this
statement be implemented in a way that never requires the task executing
the @code{abort_statement} to block.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
On a multi-processor, the delay associated with aborting a task on
another processor should be bounded; the implementation should use
periodic polling, if necessary, to achieve this.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Tasking restrictions
@unnumberedsec D.7(21): Tasking Restrictions
@sp 1
@cartouche
When feasible, the implementation should take advantage of the specified
restrictions to produce a more efficient implementation.
@end cartouche
GNAT currently takes advantage of these restrictions by providing an optimized
run time when the Ravenscar profile and the GNAT restricted run time set
of restrictions are specified.  See pragma @code{Profile (Ravenscar)} and
pragma @code{Profile (Restricted)} for more details.
 
@cindex Time, monotonic
@unnumberedsec D.8(47-49): Monotonic Time
@sp 1
@cartouche
When appropriate, implementations should provide configuration
mechanisms to change the value of @code{Tick}.
@end cartouche
Such configuration mechanisms are not appropriate to this implementation
and are thus not supported.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
It is recommended that @code{Calendar.Clock} and @code{Real_Time.Clock}
be implemented as transformations of the same time base.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
It is recommended that the @dfn{best} time base which exists in
the underlying system be available to the application through
@code{Clock}.  @dfn{Best} may mean highest accuracy or largest range.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Partition communication subsystem
@cindex PCS
@unnumberedsec E.5(28-29): Partition Communication Subsystem
@sp 1
@cartouche
Whenever possible, the PCS on the called partition should allow for
multiple tasks to call the RPC-receiver with different messages and
should allow them to block until the corresponding subprogram body
returns.
@end cartouche
Followed by GLADE, a separately supplied PCS that can be used with
GNAT.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The @code{Write} operation on a stream of type @code{Params_Stream_Type}
should raise @code{Storage_Error} if it runs out of space trying to
write the @code{Item} into the stream.
@end cartouche
Followed by GLADE, a separately supplied PCS that can be used with
GNAT@.
 
@cindex COBOL support
@unnumberedsec F(7): COBOL Support
@sp 1
@cartouche
If COBOL (respectively, C) is widely supported in the target
environment, implementations supporting the Information Systems Annex
should provide the child package @code{Interfaces.COBOL} (respectively,
@code{Interfaces.C}) specified in Annex B and should support a
@code{convention_identifier} of COBOL (respectively, C) in the interfacing
pragmas (see Annex B), thus allowing Ada programs to interface with
programs written in that language.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Decimal radix support
@unnumberedsec F.1(2): Decimal Radix Support
@sp 1
@cartouche
Packed decimal should be used as the internal representation for objects
of subtype @var{S} when @var{S}'Machine_Radix = 10.
@end cartouche
Not followed.  GNAT ignores @var{S}'Machine_Radix and always uses binary
representations.
 
@cindex Numerics
@unnumberedsec G: Numerics
@sp 2
@cartouche
If Fortran (respectively, C) is widely supported in the target
environment, implementations supporting the Numerics Annex
should provide the child package @code{Interfaces.Fortran} (respectively,
@code{Interfaces.C}) specified in Annex B and should support a
@code{convention_identifier} of Fortran (respectively, C) in the interfacing
pragmas (see Annex B), thus allowing Ada programs to interface with
programs written in that language.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Complex types
@unnumberedsec G.1.1(56-58): Complex Types
@sp 2
@cartouche
Because the usual mathematical meaning of multiplication of a complex
operand and a real operand is that of the scaling of both components of
the former by the latter, an implementation should not perform this
operation by first promoting the real operand to complex type and then
performing a full complex multiplication.  In systems that, in the
future, support an Ada binding to IEC 559:1989, the latter technique
will not generate the required result when one of the components of the
complex operand is infinite.  (Explicit multiplication of the infinite
component by the zero component obtained during promotion yields a NaN
that propagates into the final result.) Analogous advice applies in the
case of multiplication of a complex operand and a pure-imaginary
operand, and in the case of division of a complex operand by a real or
pure-imaginary operand.
@end cartouche
Not followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Similarly, because the usual mathematical meaning of addition of a
complex operand and a real operand is that the imaginary operand remains
unchanged, an implementation should not perform this operation by first
promoting the real operand to complex type and then performing a full
complex addition.  In implementations in which the @code{Signed_Zeros}
attribute of the component type is @code{True} (and which therefore
conform to IEC 559:1989 in regard to the handling of the sign of zero in
predefined arithmetic operations), the latter technique will not
generate the required result when the imaginary component of the complex
operand is a negatively signed zero.  (Explicit addition of the negative
zero to the zero obtained during promotion yields a positive zero.)
Analogous advice applies in the case of addition of a complex operand
and a pure-imaginary operand, and in the case of subtraction of a
complex operand and a real or pure-imaginary operand.
@end cartouche
Not followed.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
Implementations in which @code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True} should
attempt to provide a rational treatment of the signs of zero results and
result components.  As one example, the result of the @code{Argument}
function should have the sign of the imaginary component of the
parameter @code{X} when the point represented by that parameter lies on
the positive real axis; as another, the sign of the imaginary component
of the @code{Compose_From_Polar} function should be the same as
(respectively, the opposite of) that of the @code{Argument} parameter when that
parameter has a value of zero and the @code{Modulus} parameter has a
nonnegative (respectively, negative) value.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Complex elementary functions
@unnumberedsec G.1.2(49): Complex Elementary Functions
@sp 1
@cartouche
Implementations in which @code{Complex_Types.Real'Signed_Zeros} is
@code{True} should attempt to provide a rational treatment of the signs
of zero results and result components.  For example, many of the complex
elementary functions have components that are odd functions of one of
the parameter components; in these cases, the result component should
have the sign of the parameter component at the origin.  Other complex
elementary functions have zero components whose sign is opposite that of
a parameter component at the origin, or is always positive or always
negative.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Accuracy requirements
@unnumberedsec G.2.4(19): Accuracy Requirements
@sp 1
@cartouche
The versions of the forward trigonometric functions without a
@code{Cycle} parameter should not be implemented by calling the
corresponding version with a @code{Cycle} parameter of
@code{2.0*Numerics.Pi}, since this will not provide the required
accuracy in some portions of the domain.  For the same reason, the
version of @code{Log} without a @code{Base} parameter should not be
implemented by calling the corresponding version with a @code{Base}
parameter of @code{Numerics.e}.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@cindex Complex arithmetic accuracy
@cindex Accuracy, complex arithmetic
@unnumberedsec G.2.6(15): Complex Arithmetic Accuracy
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
The version of the @code{Compose_From_Polar} function without a
@code{Cycle} parameter should not be implemented by calling the
corresponding version with a @code{Cycle} parameter of
@code{2.0*Numerics.Pi}, since this will not provide the required
accuracy in some portions of the domain.
@end cartouche
Followed.
 
@c -----------------------------------------
@node Implementation Defined Characteristics
@chapter Implementation Defined Characteristics
 
@noindent
In addition to the implementation dependent pragmas and attributes, and the
implementation advice, there are a number of other Ada features that are
potentially implementation dependent and are designated as
implementation-defined. These are mentioned throughout the Ada Reference
Manual, and are summarized in Annex M@.
 
A requirement for conforming Ada compilers is that they provide
documentation describing how the implementation deals with each of these
issues.  In this chapter, you will find each point in Annex M listed
followed by a description in italic font of how GNAT
@c SGI info:
@ignore
in the ProDev Ada
implementation on IRIX 5.3 operating system or greater
@end ignore
handles the implementation dependence.
 
You can use this chapter as a guide to minimizing implementation
dependent features in your programs if portability to other compilers
and other operating systems is an important consideration.  The numbers
in each section below correspond to the paragraph number in the Ada
Reference Manual.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{2}.  Whether or not each recommendation given in Implementation
Advice is followed.  See 1.1.2(37).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@xref{Implementation Advice}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{3}.  Capacity limitations of the implementation.  See 1.1.3(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The complexity of programs that can be processed is limited only by the
total amount of available virtual memory, and disk space for the
generated object files.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{4}.  Variations from the standard that are impractical to avoid
given the implementation's execution environment.  See 1.1.3(6).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no variations from the standard.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{5}.  Which @code{code_statement}s cause external
interactions.  See 1.1.3(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Any @code{code_statement} can potentially cause external interactions.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{6}.  The coded representation for the text of an Ada
program.  See 2.1(4).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on source representation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{7}.  The control functions allowed in comments.  See 2.1(14).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on source representation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{8}.  The representation for an end of line.  See 2.2(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on source representation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{9}.  Maximum supported line length and lexical element
length.  See 2.2(15).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The maximum line length is 255 characters and the maximum length of a
lexical element is also 255 characters.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{10}.  Implementation defined pragmas.  See 2.8(14).
@end cartouche
@noindent
 
@xref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{11}.  Effect of pragma @code{Optimize}.  See 2.8(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Pragma @code{Optimize}, if given with a @code{Time} or @code{Space}
parameter, checks that the optimization flag is set, and aborts if it is
not.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{12}.  The sequence of characters of the value returned by
@code{@var{S}'Image} when some of the graphic characters of
@code{@var{S}'Wide_Image} are not defined in @code{Character}.  See
3.5(37).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The sequence of characters is as defined by the wide character encoding
method used for the source.  See section on source representation for
further details.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{13}.  The predefined integer types declared in
@code{Standard}.  See 3.5.4(25).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@table @code
@item Short_Short_Integer
8 bit signed
@item Short_Integer
(Short) 16 bit signed
@item Integer
32 bit signed
@item Long_Integer
64 bit signed (on most 64 bit targets, depending on the C definition of long).
32 bit signed (all other targets)
@item Long_Long_Integer
64 bit signed
@end table
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{14}.  Any nonstandard integer types and the operators defined
for them.  See 3.5.4(26).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no nonstandard integer types.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{15}.  Any nonstandard real types and the operators defined for
them.  See 3.5.6(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no nonstandard real types.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{16}.  What combinations of requested decimal precision and range
are supported for floating point types.  See 3.5.7(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The precision and range is as defined by the IEEE standard.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{17}.  The predefined floating point types declared in
@code{Standard}.  See 3.5.7(16).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@table @code
@item Short_Float
32 bit IEEE short
@item Float
(Short) 32 bit IEEE short
@item Long_Float
64 bit IEEE long
@item Long_Long_Float
64 bit IEEE long (80 bit IEEE long on x86 processors)
@end table
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{18}.  The small of an ordinary fixed point type.  See 3.5.9(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@code{Fine_Delta} is 2**(@minus{}63)
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{19}.  What combinations of small, range, and digits are
supported for fixed point types.  See 3.5.9(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Any combinations are permitted that do not result in a small less than
@code{Fine_Delta} and do not result in a mantissa larger than 63 bits.
If the mantissa is larger than 53 bits on machines where Long_Long_Float
is 64 bits (true of all architectures except ia32), then the output from
Text_IO is accurate to only 53 bits, rather than the full mantissa.  This
is because floating-point conversions are used to convert fixed point.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{20}.  The result of @code{Tags.Expanded_Name} for types declared
within an unnamed @code{block_statement}.  See 3.9(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Block numbers of the form @code{B@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is a
decimal integer are allocated.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{21}.  Implementation-defined attributes.  See 4.1.4(12).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@xref{Implementation Defined Attributes}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{22}.  Any implementation-defined time types.  See 9.6(6).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined time types.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{23}.  The time base associated with relative delays.
@end cartouche
@noindent
See 9.6(20).  The time base used is that provided by the C library
function @code{gettimeofday}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{24}.  The time base of the type @code{Calendar.Time}.  See
9.6(23).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The time base used is that provided by the C library function
@code{gettimeofday}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{25}.  The time zone used for package @code{Calendar}
operations.  See 9.6(24).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The time zone used by package @code{Calendar} is the current system time zone
setting for local time, as accessed by the C library function
@code{localtime}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{26}.  Any limit on @code{delay_until_statements} of
@code{select_statements}.  See 9.6(29).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no such limits.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{27}.  Whether or not two non-overlapping parts of a composite
object are independently addressable, in the case where packing, record
layout, or @code{Component_Size} is specified for the object.  See
9.10(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Separate components are independently addressable if they do not share
overlapping storage units.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{28}.  The representation for a compilation.  See 10.1(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
A compilation is represented by a sequence of files presented to the
compiler in a single invocation of the @command{gcc} command.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{29}.  Any restrictions on compilations that contain multiple
compilation_units.  See 10.1(4).
@end cartouche
@noindent
No single file can contain more than one compilation unit, but any
sequence of files can be presented to the compiler as a single
compilation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{30}.  The mechanisms for creating an environment and for adding
and replacing compilation units.  See 10.1.4(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on compilation model.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{31}.  The manner of explicitly assigning library units to a
partition.  See 10.2(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
If a unit contains an Ada main program, then the Ada units for the partition
are determined by recursive application of the rules in the Ada Reference
Manual section 10.2(2-6).  In other words, the Ada units will be those that
are needed by the main program, and then this definition of need is applied
recursively to those units, and the partition contains the transitive
closure determined by this relationship.  In short, all the necessary units
are included, with no need to explicitly specify the list.  If additional
units are required, e.g.@: by foreign language units, then all units must be
mentioned in the context clause of one of the needed Ada units.
 
If the partition contains no main program, or if the main program is in
a language other than Ada, then GNAT
provides the binder options @option{-z} and @option{-n} respectively, and in
this case a list of units can be explicitly supplied to the binder for
inclusion in the partition (all units needed by these units will also
be included automatically).  For full details on the use of these
options, refer to @ref{The GNAT Make Program gnatmake,,, gnat_ugn,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{32}.  The implementation-defined means, if any, of specifying
which compilation units are needed by a given compilation unit.  See
10.2(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The units needed by a given compilation unit are as defined in
the Ada Reference Manual section 10.2(2-6).  There are no
implementation-defined pragmas or other implementation-defined
means for specifying needed units.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{33}.  The manner of designating the main subprogram of a
partition.  See 10.2(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The main program is designated by providing the name of the
corresponding @file{ALI} file as the input parameter to the binder.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{34}.  The order of elaboration of @code{library_items}.  See
10.2(18).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The first constraint on ordering is that it meets the requirements of
Chapter 10 of the Ada Reference Manual.  This still leaves some
implementation dependent choices, which are resolved by first
elaborating bodies as early as possible (i.e., in preference to specs
where there is a choice), and second by evaluating the immediate with
clauses of a unit to determine the probably best choice, and
third by elaborating in alphabetical order of unit names
where a choice still remains.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{35}.  Parameter passing and function return for the main
subprogram.  See 10.2(21).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The main program has no parameters.  It may be a procedure, or a function
returning an integer type.  In the latter case, the returned integer
value is the return code of the program (overriding any value that
may have been set by a call to @code{Ada.Command_Line.Set_Exit_Status}).
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{36}.  The mechanisms for building and running partitions.  See
10.2(24).
@end cartouche
@noindent
GNAT itself supports programs with only a single partition.  The GNATDIST
tool provided with the GLADE package (which also includes an implementation
of the PCS) provides a completely flexible method for building and running
programs consisting of multiple partitions.  See the separate GLADE manual
for details.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{37}.  The details of program execution, including program
termination.  See 10.2(25).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on compilation model.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{38}.  The semantics of any non-active partitions supported by the
implementation.  See 10.2(28).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Passive partitions are supported on targets where shared memory is
provided by the operating system.  See the GLADE reference manual for
further details.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{39}.  The information returned by @code{Exception_Message}.  See
11.4.1(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Exception message returns the null string unless a specific message has
been passed by the program.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{40}.  The result of @code{Exceptions.Exception_Name} for types
declared within an unnamed @code{block_statement}.  See 11.4.1(12).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Blocks have implementation defined names of the form @code{B@var{nnn}}
where @var{nnn} is an integer.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{41}.  The information returned by
@code{Exception_Information}.  See 11.4.1(13).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@code{Exception_Information} returns a string in the following format:
 
@smallexample
@emph{Exception_Name:} nnnnn
@emph{Message:} mmmmm
@emph{PID:} ppp
@emph{Call stack traceback locations:}
0xhhhh 0xhhhh 0xhhhh ... 0xhhh
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{nnnn} is the fully qualified name of the exception in all upper
case letters. This line is always present.
 
@item
@code{mmmm} is the message (this line present only if message is non-null)
 
@item
@code{ppp} is the Process Id value as a decimal integer (this line is
present only if the Process Id is nonzero). Currently we are
not making use of this field.
 
@item
The Call stack traceback locations line and the following values
are present only if at least one traceback location was recorded.
The values are given in C style format, with lower case letters
for a-f, and only as many digits present as are necessary.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The line terminator sequence at the end of each line, including
the last line is a single @code{LF} character (@code{16#0A#}).
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{42}.  Implementation-defined check names.  See 11.5(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The implementation defined check name Alignment_Check controls checking of
address clause values for proper alignment (that is, the address supplied
must be consistent with the alignment of the type).
 
In addition, a user program can add implementation-defined check names
by means of the pragma Check_Name.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{43}.  The interpretation of each aspect of representation.  See
13.1(20).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on data representations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{44}.  Any restrictions placed upon representation items.  See
13.1(20).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See separate section on data representations.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{45}.  The meaning of @code{Size} for indefinite subtypes.  See
13.3(48).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Size for an indefinite subtype is the maximum possible size, except that
for the case of a subprogram parameter, the size of the parameter object
is the actual size.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{46}.  The default external representation for a type tag.  See
13.3(75).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The default external representation for a type tag is the fully expanded
name of the type in upper case letters.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{47}.  What determines whether a compilation unit is the same in
two different partitions.  See 13.3(76).
@end cartouche
@noindent
A compilation unit is the same in two different partitions if and only
if it derives from the same source file.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{48}.  Implementation-defined components.  See 13.5.1(15).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The only implementation defined component is the tag for a tagged type,
which contains a pointer to the dispatching table.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{49}.  If @code{Word_Size} = @code{Storage_Unit}, the default bit
ordering.  See 13.5.3(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@code{Word_Size} (32) is not the same as @code{Storage_Unit} (8) for this
implementation, so no non-default bit ordering is supported.  The default
bit ordering corresponds to the natural endianness of the target architecture.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{50}.  The contents of the visible part of package @code{System}
and its language-defined children.  See 13.7(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the definition of these packages in files @file{system.ads} and
@file{s-stoele.ads}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{51}.  The contents of the visible part of package
@code{System.Machine_Code}, and the meaning of
@code{code_statements}.  See 13.8(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the definition and documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{52}.  The effect of unchecked conversion.  See 13.9(11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Unchecked conversion between types of the same size
results in an uninterpreted transmission of the bits from one type
to the other.  If the types are of unequal sizes, then in the case of
discrete types, a shorter source is first zero or sign extended as
necessary, and a shorter target is simply truncated on the left.
For all non-discrete types, the source is first copied if necessary
to ensure that the alignment requirements of the target are met, then
a pointer is constructed to the source value, and the result is obtained
by dereferencing this pointer after converting it to be a pointer to the
target type. Unchecked conversions where the target subtype is an
unconstrained array are not permitted. If the target alignment is
greater than the source alignment, then a copy of the result is
made with appropriate alignment
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{53}. The semantics of operations on invalid representations.
See 13.9.2(10-11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
For assignments and other operations where the use of invalid values cannot
result in erroneous behavior, the compiler ignores the possibility of invalid
values. An exception is raised at the point where an invalid value would
result in erroneous behavior. For example executing:
 
@smallexample @c ada
procedure invalidvals is
   X : Integer := -1;
   Y : Natural range 1 .. 10;
   for Y'Address use X'Address;
   Z : Natural range 1 .. 10;
   A : array (Natural range 1 .. 10) of Integer;
begin
   Z := Y;     -- no exception
   A (Z) := 3; -- exception raised;
end;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
As indicated, an exception is raised on the array assignment, but not
on the simple assignment of the invalid negative value from Y to Z.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{53}.  The manner of choosing a storage pool for an access type
when @code{Storage_Pool} is not specified for the type.  See 13.11(17).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are 3 different standard pools used by the compiler when
@code{Storage_Pool} is not specified depending whether the type is local
to a subprogram or defined at the library level and whether
@code{Storage_Size}is specified or not.  See documentation in the runtime
library units @code{System.Pool_Global}, @code{System.Pool_Size} and
@code{System.Pool_Local} in files @file{s-poosiz.ads},
@file{s-pooglo.ads} and @file{s-pooloc.ads} for full details on the
default pools used.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{54}.  Whether or not the implementation provides user-accessible
names for the standard pool type(s).  See 13.11(17).
@end cartouche
@noindent
 
See documentation in the sources of the run time mentioned in paragraph
@strong{53} .  All these pools are accessible by means of @code{with}'ing
these units.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{55}.  The meaning of @code{Storage_Size}.  See 13.11(18).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@code{Storage_Size} is measured in storage units, and refers to the
total space available for an access type collection, or to the primary
stack space for a task.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{56}.  Implementation-defined aspects of storage pools.  See
13.11(22).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See documentation in the sources of the run time mentioned in paragraph
@strong{53} for details on GNAT-defined aspects of storage pools.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{57}.  The set of restrictions allowed in a pragma
@code{Restrictions}.  See 13.12(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@xref{Implementation Defined Restrictions}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{58}.  The consequences of violating limitations on
@code{Restrictions} pragmas.  See 13.12(9).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Restrictions that can be checked at compile time result in illegalities
if violated.  Currently there are no other consequences of violating
restrictions.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{59}.  The representation used by the @code{Read} and
@code{Write} attributes of elementary types in terms of stream
elements.  See 13.13.2(9).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The representation is the in-memory representation of the base type of
the type, using the number of bits corresponding to the
@code{@var{type}'Size} value, and the natural ordering of the machine.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{60}.  The names and characteristics of the numeric subtypes
declared in the visible part of package @code{Standard}.  See A.1(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See items describing the integer and floating-point types supported.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{61}.  The accuracy actually achieved by the elementary
functions.  See A.5.1(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The elementary functions correspond to the functions available in the C
library.  Only fast math mode is implemented.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{62}.  The sign of a zero result from some of the operators or
functions in @code{Numerics.Generic_Elementary_Functions}, when
@code{Float_Type'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True}.  See A.5.1(46).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The sign of zeroes follows the requirements of the IEEE 754 standard on
floating-point.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{63}.  The value of
@code{Numerics.Float_Random.Max_Image_Width}.  See A.5.2(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Maximum image width is 6864, see library file @file{s-rannum.ads}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{64}.  The value of
@code{Numerics.Discrete_Random.Max_Image_Width}.  See A.5.2(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Maximum image width is 6864, see library file @file{s-rannum.ads}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{65}.  The algorithms for random number generation.  See
A.5.2(32).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The algorithm is the Mersenne Twister, as documented in the source file
@file{s-rannum.adb}. This version of the algorithm has a period of
2**19937-1.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{66}.  The string representation of a random number generator's
state.  See A.5.2(38).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The value returned by the Image function is the concatenation of
the fixed-width decimal representations of the 624 32-bit integers
of the state vector.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{67}.  The minimum time interval between calls to the
time-dependent Reset procedure that are guaranteed to initiate different
random number sequences.  See A.5.2(45).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The minimum period between reset calls to guarantee distinct series of
random numbers is one microsecond.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{68}.  The values of the @code{Model_Mantissa},
@code{Model_Emin}, @code{Model_Epsilon}, @code{Model},
@code{Safe_First}, and @code{Safe_Last} attributes, if the Numerics
Annex is not supported.  See A.5.3(72).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Run the compiler with @option{-gnatS} to produce a listing of package
@code{Standard}, has the values of all numeric attributes.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{69}.  Any implementation-defined characteristics of the
input-output packages.  See A.7(14).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no special implementation defined characteristics for these
packages.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{70}.  The value of @code{Buffer_Size} in @code{Storage_IO}.  See
A.9(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
All type representations are contiguous, and the @code{Buffer_Size} is
the value of @code{@var{type}'Size} rounded up to the next storage unit
boundary.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{71}.  External files for standard input, standard output, and
standard error See A.10(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
These files are mapped onto the files provided by the C streams
libraries.  See source file @file{i-cstrea.ads} for further details.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{72}.  The accuracy of the value produced by @code{Put}.  See
A.10.9(36).
@end cartouche
@noindent
If more digits are requested in the output than are represented by the
precision of the value, zeroes are output in the corresponding least
significant digit positions.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{73}.  The meaning of @code{Argument_Count}, @code{Argument}, and
@code{Command_Name}.  See A.15(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
These are mapped onto the @code{argv} and @code{argc} parameters of the
main program in the natural manner.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{74}.  The interpretation of the @code{Form} parameter in procedure
@code{Create_Directory}.  See A.16(56).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The @code{Form} parameter is not used.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{75}.  The interpretation of the @code{Form} parameter in procedure
@code{Create_Path}.  See A.16(60).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The @code{Form} parameter is not used.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{76}.  The interpretation of the @code{Form} parameter in procedure
@code{Copy_File}.  See A.16(68).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The @code{Form} parameter is case-insensitive.
 
Two fields are recognized in the @code{Form} parameter:
 
@table @code
 
@item preserve=<value>
 
@item mode=<value>
 
@end table
 
@noindent
<value> starts immediately after the character '=' and ends with the
character immediately preceding the next comma (',') or with the last
character of the parameter.
 
The only possible values for preserve= are:
 
@table @code
 
@item no_attributes
Do not try to preserve any file attributes. This is the default if no
preserve= is found in Form.
 
@item all_attributes
Try to preserve all file attributes (timestamps, access rights).
 
@item timestamps
Preserve the timestamp of the copied file, but not the other file attributes.
 
@end table
 
@noindent
The only possible values for mode= are:
 
@table @code
 
@item copy
Only do the copy if the destination file does not already exist. If it already
exists, Copy_File fails.
 
@item overwrite
Copy the file in all cases. Overwrite an already existing destination file.
 
@item append
Append the original file to the destination file. If the destination file does
not exist, the destination file is a copy of the source file. When mode=append,
the field preserve=, if it exists, is not taken into account.
 
@end table
 
@noindent
If the Form parameter includes one or both of the fields and the value or
values are incorrect, Copy_file fails with Use_Error.
 
Examples of correct Forms:
 
@smallexample
Form => "preserve=no_attributes,mode=overwrite" (the default)
Form => "mode=append"
Form => "mode=copy, preserve=all_attributes"
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Examples of incorrect Forms
 
@smallexample
Form => "preserve=junk"
Form => "mode=internal, preserve=timestamps"
@end smallexample
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{77}.  Implementation-defined convention names.  See B.1(11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The following convention names are supported
 
@table @code
@item  Ada
Ada
@item Ada_Pass_By_Copy
Allowed for any types except by-reference types such as limited
records. Compatible with convention Ada, but causes any parameters
with this convention to be passed by copy.
@item Ada_Pass_By_Reference
Allowed for any types except by-copy types such as scalars.
Compatible with convention Ada, but causes any parameters
with this convention to be passed by reference.
@item Assembler
Assembly language
@item Asm
Synonym for Assembler
@item Assembly
Synonym for Assembler
@item C
C
@item C_Pass_By_Copy
Allowed only for record types, like C, but also notes that record
is to be passed by copy rather than reference.
@item COBOL
COBOL
@item C_Plus_Plus (or CPP)
C++
@item Default
Treated the same as C
@item External
Treated the same as C
@item Fortran
Fortran
@item Intrinsic
For support of pragma @code{Import} with convention Intrinsic, see
separate section on Intrinsic Subprograms.
@item Stdcall
Stdcall (used for Windows implementations only).  This convention correspond
to the WINAPI (previously called Pascal convention) C/C++ convention under
Windows.  A routine with this convention cleans the stack before
exit. This pragma cannot be applied to a dispatching call.
@item DLL
Synonym for Stdcall
@item Win32
Synonym for Stdcall
@item Stubbed
Stubbed is a special convention used to indicate that the body of the
subprogram will be entirely ignored.  Any call to the subprogram
is converted into a raise of the @code{Program_Error} exception.  If a
pragma @code{Import} specifies convention @code{stubbed} then no body need
be present at all.  This convention is useful during development for the
inclusion of subprograms whose body has not yet been written.
 
@end table
@noindent
In addition, all otherwise unrecognized convention names are also
treated as being synonymous with convention C@.  In all implementations
except for VMS, use of such other names results in a warning.  In VMS
implementations, these names are accepted silently.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{78}.  The meaning of link names.  See B.1(36).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Link names are the actual names used by the linker.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{79}.  The manner of choosing link names when neither the link
name nor the address of an imported or exported entity is specified.  See
B.1(36).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The default linker name is that which would be assigned by the relevant
external language, interpreting the Ada name as being in all lower case
letters.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{80}.  The effect of pragma @code{Linker_Options}.  See B.1(37).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The string passed to @code{Linker_Options} is presented uninterpreted as
an argument to the link command, unless it contains ASCII.NUL characters.
NUL characters if they appear act as argument separators, so for example
 
@smallexample @c ada
pragma Linker_Options ("-labc" & ASCII.NUL & "-ldef");
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
causes two separate arguments @code{-labc} and @code{-ldef} to be passed to the
linker. The order of linker options is preserved for a given unit. The final
list of options passed to the linker is in reverse order of the elaboration
order. For example, linker options for a body always appear before the options
from the corresponding package spec.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{81}.  The contents of the visible part of package
@code{Interfaces} and its language-defined descendants.  See B.2(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See files with prefix @file{i-} in the distributed library.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{82}.  Implementation-defined children of package
@code{Interfaces}.  The contents of the visible part of package
@code{Interfaces}.  See B.2(11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See files with prefix @file{i-} in the distributed library.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{83}.  The types @code{Floating}, @code{Long_Floating},
@code{Binary}, @code{Long_Binary}, @code{Decimal_ Element}, and
@code{COBOL_Character}; and the initialization of the variables
@code{Ada_To_COBOL} and @code{COBOL_To_Ada}, in
@code{Interfaces.COBOL}.  See B.4(50).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@table @code
@item Floating
Float
@item Long_Floating
(Floating) Long_Float
@item Binary
Integer
@item Long_Binary
Long_Long_Integer
@item Decimal_Element
Character
@item COBOL_Character
Character
@end table
 
@noindent
For initialization, see the file @file{i-cobol.ads} in the distributed library.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{84}.  Support for access to machine instructions.  See C.1(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads} in the distributed library.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{85}.  Implementation-defined aspects of access to machine
operations.  See C.1(9).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See documentation in file @file{s-maccod.ads} in the distributed library.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{86}.  Implementation-defined aspects of interrupts.  See C.3(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Interrupts are mapped to signals or conditions as appropriate.  See
definition of unit
@code{Ada.Interrupt_Names} in source file @file{a-intnam.ads} for details
on the interrupts supported on a particular target.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{87}.  Implementation-defined aspects of pre-elaboration.  See
C.4(13).
@end cartouche
@noindent
GNAT does not permit a partition to be restarted without reloading,
except under control of the debugger.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{88}.  The semantics of pragma @code{Discard_Names}.  See C.5(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Pragma @code{Discard_Names} causes names of enumeration literals to
be suppressed.  In the presence of this pragma, the Image attribute
provides the image of the Pos of the literal, and Value accepts
Pos values.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{89}.  The result of the @code{Task_Identification.Image}
attribute.  See C.7.1(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The result of this attribute is a string that identifies
the object or component that denotes a given task. If a variable @code{Var}
has a task type, the image for this task will have the form @code{Var_@var{XXXXXXXX}},
where the suffix
is the hexadecimal representation of the virtual address of the corresponding
task control block. If the variable is an array of tasks, the image of each
task will have the form of an indexed component indicating the position of a
given task in the array, e.g.@: @code{Group(5)_@var{XXXXXXX}}. If the task is a
component of a record, the image of the task will have the form of a selected
component. These rules are fully recursive, so that the image of a task that
is a subcomponent of a composite object corresponds to the expression that
designates this task.
@noindent
If a task is created by an allocator, its image depends on the context. If the
allocator is part of an object declaration, the rules described above are used
to construct its image, and this image is not affected by subsequent
assignments. If the allocator appears within an expression, the image
includes only the name of the task type.
@noindent
If the configuration pragma Discard_Names is present, or if the restriction
No_Implicit_Heap_Allocation is in effect,  the image reduces to
the numeric suffix, that is to say the hexadecimal representation of the
virtual address of the control block of the task.
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{90}.  The value of @code{Current_Task} when in a protected entry
or interrupt handler.  See C.7.1(17).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Protected entries or interrupt handlers can be executed by any
convenient thread, so the value of @code{Current_Task} is undefined.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{91}.  The effect of calling @code{Current_Task} from an entry
body or interrupt handler.  See C.7.1(19).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The effect of calling @code{Current_Task} from an entry body or
interrupt handler is to return the identification of the task currently
executing the code.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{92}.  Implementation-defined aspects of
@code{Task_Attributes}.  See C.7.2(19).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined aspects of @code{Task_Attributes}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{93}.  Values of all @code{Metrics}.  See D(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The metrics information for GNAT depends on the performance of the
underlying operating system.  The sources of the run-time for tasking
implementation, together with the output from @option{-gnatG} can be
used to determine the exact sequence of operating systems calls made
to implement various tasking constructs.  Together with appropriate
information on the performance of the underlying operating system,
on the exact target in use, this information can be used to determine
the required metrics.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{94}.  The declarations of @code{Any_Priority} and
@code{Priority}.  See D.1(11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See declarations in file @file{system.ads}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{95}.  Implementation-defined execution resources.  See D.1(15).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined execution resources.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{96}.  Whether, on a multiprocessor, a task that is waiting for
access to a protected object keeps its processor busy.  See D.2.1(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
On a multi-processor, a task that is waiting for access to a protected
object does not keep its processor busy.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{97}.  The affect of implementation defined execution resources
on task dispatching.  See D.2.1(9).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@c SGI info
@ignore
Tasks map to IRIX threads, and the dispatching policy is as defined by
the IRIX implementation of threads.
@end ignore
Tasks map to threads in the threads package used by GNAT@.  Where possible
and appropriate, these threads correspond to native threads of the
underlying operating system.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{98}.  Implementation-defined @code{policy_identifiers} allowed
in a pragma @code{Task_Dispatching_Policy}.  See D.2.2(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined policy-identifiers allowed in this
pragma.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{99}.  Implementation-defined aspects of priority inversion.  See
D.2.2(16).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Execution of a task cannot be preempted by the implementation processing
of delay expirations for lower priority tasks.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{100}.  Implementation-defined task dispatching.  See D.2.2(18).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@c SGI info:
@ignore
Tasks map to IRIX threads, and the dispatching policy is as defined by
the IRIX implementation of threads.
@end ignore
The policy is the same as that of the underlying threads implementation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{101}.  Implementation-defined @code{policy_identifiers} allowed
in a pragma @code{Locking_Policy}.  See D.3(4).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The two implementation defined policies permitted in GNAT are
@code{Inheritance_Locking} and  @code{Conccurent_Readers_Locking}.  On
targets that support the @code{Inheritance_Locking} policy, locking is
implemented by inheritance, i.e.@: the task owning the lock operates
at a priority equal to the highest priority of any task currently
requesting the lock.  On targets that support the
@code{Conccurent_Readers_Locking} policy, locking is implemented with a
read/write lock allowing multiple propected object functions to enter
concurrently.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{102}.  Default ceiling priorities.  See D.3(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The ceiling priority of protected objects of the type
@code{System.Interrupt_Priority'Last} as described in the Ada
Reference Manual D.3(10),
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{103}.  The ceiling of any protected object used internally by
the implementation.  See D.3(16).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The ceiling priority of internal protected objects is
@code{System.Priority'Last}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{104}.  Implementation-defined queuing policies.  See D.4(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined queuing policies.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{105}.  On a multiprocessor, any conditions that cause the
completion of an aborted construct to be delayed later than what is
specified for a single processor.  See D.6(3).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The semantics for abort on a multi-processor is the same as on a single
processor, there are no further delays.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{106}.  Any operations that implicitly require heap storage
allocation.  See D.7(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The only operation that implicitly requires heap storage allocation is
task creation.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{107}.  Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
@code{Restrictions}.  See D.7(20).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no such implementation-defined aspects.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{108}.  Implementation-defined aspects of package
@code{Real_Time}.  See D.8(17).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation defined aspects of package @code{Real_Time}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{109}.  Implementation-defined aspects of
@code{delay_statements}.  See D.9(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Any difference greater than one microsecond will cause the task to be
delayed (see D.9(7)).
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{110}.  The upper bound on the duration of interrupt blocking
caused by the implementation.  See D.12(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The upper bound is determined by the underlying operating system.  In
no cases is it more than 10 milliseconds.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{111}.  The means for creating and executing distributed
programs.  See E(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The GLADE package provides a utility GNATDIST for creating and executing
distributed programs.  See the GLADE reference manual for further details.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{112}.  Any events that can result in a partition becoming
inaccessible.  See E.1(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the GLADE reference manual for full details on such events.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{113}.  The scheduling policies, treatment of priorities, and
management of shared resources between partitions in certain cases.  See
E.1(11).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the GLADE reference manual for full details on these aspects of
multi-partition execution.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{114}.  Events that cause the version of a compilation unit to
change.  See E.3(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Editing the source file of a compilation unit, or the source files of
any units on which it is dependent in a significant way cause the version
to change.  No other actions cause the version number to change.  All changes
are significant except those which affect only layout, capitalization or
comments.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{115}.  Whether the execution of the remote subprogram is
immediately aborted as a result of cancellation.  See E.4(13).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the GLADE reference manual for details on the effect of abort in
a distributed application.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{116}.  Implementation-defined aspects of the PCS@.  See E.5(25).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the GLADE reference manual for a full description of all implementation
defined aspects of the PCS@.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{117}.  Implementation-defined interfaces in the PCS@.  See
E.5(26).
@end cartouche
@noindent
See the GLADE reference manual for a full description of all
implementation defined interfaces.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{118}.  The values of named numbers in the package
@code{Decimal}.  See F.2(7).
@end cartouche
@noindent
@table @code
@item Max_Scale
+18
@item Min_Scale
-18
@item Min_Delta
1.0E-18
@item Max_Delta
1.0E+18
@item Max_Decimal_Digits
18
@end table
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{119}.  The value of @code{Max_Picture_Length} in the package
@code{Text_IO.Editing}.  See F.3.3(16).
@end cartouche
@noindent
64
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{120}.  The value of @code{Max_Picture_Length} in the package
@code{Wide_Text_IO.Editing}.  See F.3.4(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
64
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{121}.  The accuracy actually achieved by the complex elementary
functions and by other complex arithmetic operations.  See G.1(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Standard library functions are used for the complex arithmetic
operations.  Only fast math mode is currently supported.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{122}.  The sign of a zero result (or a component thereof) from
any operator or function in @code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types}, when
@code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is True.  See G.1.1(53).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The signs of zero values are as recommended by the relevant
implementation advice.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{123}.  The sign of a zero result (or a component thereof) from
any operator or function in
@code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Elementary_Functions}, when
@code{Real'Signed_Zeros} is @code{True}.  See G.1.2(45).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The signs of zero values are as recommended by the relevant
implementation advice.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{124}.  Whether the strict mode or the relaxed mode is the
default.  See G.2(2).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The strict mode is the default.  There is no separate relaxed mode.  GNAT
provides a highly efficient implementation of strict mode.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{125}.  The result interval in certain cases of fixed-to-float
conversion.  See G.2.1(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
For cases where the result interval is implementation dependent, the
accuracy is that provided by performing all operations in 64-bit IEEE
floating-point format.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{126}.  The result of a floating point arithmetic operation in
overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
result type is @code{False}.  See G.2.1(13).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Infinite and NaN values are produced as dictated by the IEEE
floating-point standard.
 
Note that on machines that are not fully compliant with the IEEE
floating-point standard, such as Alpha, the @option{-mieee} compiler flag
must be used for achieving IEEE conforming behavior (although at the cost
of a significant performance penalty), so infinite and NaN values are
properly generated.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{127}.  The result interval for division (or exponentiation by a
negative exponent), when the floating point hardware implements division
as multiplication by a reciprocal.  See G.2.1(16).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Not relevant, division is IEEE exact.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{128}.  The definition of close result set, which determines the
accuracy of certain fixed point multiplications and divisions.  See
G.2.3(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Operations in the close result set are performed using IEEE long format
floating-point arithmetic.  The input operands are converted to
floating-point, the operation is done in floating-point, and the result
is converted to the target type.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{129}.  Conditions on a @code{universal_real} operand of a fixed
point multiplication or division for which the result shall be in the
perfect result set.  See G.2.3(22).
@end cartouche
@noindent
The result is only defined to be in the perfect result set if the result
can be computed by a single scaling operation involving a scale factor
representable in 64-bits.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{130}.  The result of a fixed point arithmetic operation in
overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
result type is @code{False}.  See G.2.3(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Not relevant, @code{Machine_Overflows} is @code{True} for fixed-point
types.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{131}.  The result of an elementary function reference in
overflow situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the
result type is @code{False}.  See G.2.4(4).
@end cartouche
@noindent
IEEE infinite and Nan values are produced as appropriate.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{132}.  The value of the angle threshold, within which certain
elementary functions, complex arithmetic operations, and complex
elementary functions yield results conforming to a maximum relative
error bound.  See G.2.4(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Information on this subject is not yet available.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{133}.  The accuracy of certain elementary functions for
parameters beyond the angle threshold.  See G.2.4(10).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Information on this subject is not yet available.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{134}.  The result of a complex arithmetic operation or complex
elementary function reference in overflow situations, when the
@code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the corresponding real type is
@code{False}.  See G.2.6(5).
@end cartouche
@noindent
IEEE infinite and Nan values are produced as appropriate.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{135}.  The accuracy of certain complex arithmetic operations and
certain complex elementary functions for parameters (or components
thereof) beyond the angle threshold.  See G.2.6(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Information on those subjects is not yet available.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{136}.  Information regarding bounded errors and erroneous
execution.  See H.2(1).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Information on this subject is not yet available.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{137}.  Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
@code{Inspection_Point}.  See H.3.2(8).
@end cartouche
@noindent
Pragma @code{Inspection_Point} ensures that the variable is live and can
be examined by the debugger at the inspection point.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{138}.  Implementation-defined aspects of pragma
@code{Restrictions}.  See H.4(25).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no implementation-defined aspects of pragma @code{Restrictions}.  The
use of pragma @code{Restrictions [No_Exceptions]} has no effect on the
generated code.  Checks must suppressed by use of pragma @code{Suppress}.
 
@sp 1
@cartouche
@noindent
@strong{139}.  Any restrictions on pragma @code{Restrictions}.  See
H.4(27).
@end cartouche
@noindent
There are no restrictions on pragma @code{Restrictions}.
 
@node Intrinsic Subprograms
@chapter Intrinsic Subprograms
@cindex Intrinsic Subprograms
 
@menu
* Intrinsic Operators::
* Enclosing_Entity::
* Exception_Information::
* Exception_Message::
* Exception_Name::
* File::
* Line::
* Shifts and Rotates::
* Source_Location::
@end menu
 
@noindent
GNAT allows a user application program to write the declaration:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   pragma Import (Intrinsic, name);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
providing that the name corresponds to one of the implemented intrinsic
subprograms in GNAT, and that the parameter profile of the referenced
subprogram meets the requirements.  This chapter describes the set of
implemented intrinsic subprograms, and the requirements on parameter profiles.
Note that no body is supplied; as with other uses of pragma Import, the
body is supplied elsewhere (in this case by the compiler itself).  Note
that any use of this feature is potentially non-portable, since the
Ada standard does not require Ada compilers to implement this feature.
 
@node Intrinsic Operators
@section Intrinsic Operators
@cindex Intrinsic operator
 
@noindent
All the predefined numeric operators in package Standard
in @code{pragma Import (Intrinsic,..)}
declarations.  In the binary operator case, the operands must have the same
size.  The operand or operands must also be appropriate for
the operator.  For example, for addition, the operands must
both be floating-point or both be fixed-point, and the
right operand for @code{"**"} must have a root type of
@code{Standard.Integer'Base}.
You can use an intrinsic operator declaration as in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Int1 is new Integer;
   type Int2 is new Integer;
 
   function "+" (X1 : Int1; X2 : Int2) return Int1;
   function "+" (X1 : Int1; X2 : Int2) return Int2;
   pragma Import (Intrinsic, "+");
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This declaration would permit ``mixed mode'' arithmetic on items
of the differing types @code{Int1} and @code{Int2}.
It is also possible to specify such operators for private types, if the
full views are appropriate arithmetic types.
 
@node Enclosing_Entity
@section Enclosing_Entity
@cindex Enclosing_Entity
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}.  The only useful use of the
intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Source_Info.Enclosing_Entity} to obtain the name of
the current subprogram, package, task, entry, or protected subprogram.
 
@node Exception_Information
@section Exception_Information
@cindex Exception_Information'
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}.  The only useful
use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
so an application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Information} to obtain
the exception information associated with the current exception.
 
@node Exception_Message
@section Exception_Message
@cindex Exception_Message
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}.  The only useful
use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
so an application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Message} to obtain
the message associated with the current exception.
 
@node Exception_Name
@section Exception_Name
@cindex Exception_Name
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Current_Exception}.  The only useful
use of the intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit,
so an application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Current_Exception.Exception_Name} to obtain
the name of the current exception.
 
@node File
@section File
@cindex File
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}.  The only useful use of the
intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Source_Info.File} to obtain the name of the current
file.
 
@node Line
@section Line
@cindex Line
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}.  The only useful use of the
intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Source_Info.Line} to obtain the number of the current
source line.
 
@node Shifts and Rotates
@section Shifts and Rotates
@cindex Shift_Left
@cindex Shift_Right
@cindex Shift_Right_Arithmetic
@cindex Rotate_Left
@cindex Rotate_Right
@noindent
In standard Ada, the shift and rotate functions are available only
for the predefined modular types in package @code{Interfaces}.  However, in
GNAT it is possible to define these functions for any integer
type (signed or modular), as in this example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   function Shift_Left
     (Value  : T;
      Amount : Natural)
      return   T;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The function name must be one of
Shift_Left, Shift_Right, Shift_Right_Arithmetic, Rotate_Left, or
Rotate_Right. T must be an integer type. T'Size must be
8, 16, 32 or 64 bits; if T is modular, the modulus
must be 2**8, 2**16, 2**32 or 2**64.
The result type must be the same as the type of @code{Value}.
The shift amount must be Natural.
The formal parameter names can be anything.
 
@node Source_Location
@section Source_Location
@cindex Source_Location
@noindent
This intrinsic subprogram is used in the implementation of the
library routine @code{GNAT.Source_Info}.  The only useful use of the
intrinsic import in this case is the one in this unit, so an
application program should simply call the function
@code{GNAT.Source_Info.Source_Location} to obtain the current
source file location.
 
@node Representation Clauses and Pragmas
@chapter Representation Clauses and Pragmas
@cindex Representation Clauses
 
@menu
* Alignment Clauses::
* Size Clauses::
* Storage_Size Clauses::
* Size of Variant Record Objects::
* Biased Representation ::
* Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses::
* Component_Size Clauses::
* Bit_Order Clauses::
* Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering::
* Pragma Pack for Arrays::
* Pragma Pack for Records::
* Record Representation Clauses::
* Enumeration Clauses::
* Address Clauses::
* Effect of Convention on Representation::
* Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT::
@end menu
 
@noindent
@cindex Representation Clause
@cindex Representation Pragma
@cindex Pragma, representation
This section describes the representation clauses accepted by GNAT, and
their effect on the representation of corresponding data objects.
 
GNAT fully implements Annex C (Systems Programming).  This means that all
the implementation advice sections in chapter 13 are fully implemented.
However, these sections only require a minimal level of support for
representation clauses.  GNAT provides much more extensive capabilities,
and this section describes the additional capabilities provided.
 
@node Alignment Clauses
@section Alignment Clauses
@cindex Alignment Clause
 
@noindent
GNAT requires that all alignment clauses specify a power of 2, and all
default alignments are always a power of 2.  The default alignment
values are as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item @emph{Primitive Types}.
For primitive types, the alignment is the minimum of the actual size of
objects of the type divided by @code{Storage_Unit},
and the maximum alignment supported by the target.
(This maximum alignment is given by the GNAT-specific attribute
@code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment}; see @ref{Maximum_Alignment}.)
@cindex @code{Maximum_Alignment} attribute
For example, for type @code{Long_Float}, the object size is 8 bytes, and the
default alignment will be 8 on any target that supports alignments
this large, but on some targets, the maximum alignment may be smaller
than 8, in which case objects of type @code{Long_Float} will be maximally
aligned.
 
@item @emph{Arrays}.
For arrays, the alignment is equal to the alignment of the component type
for the normal case where no packing or component size is given.  If the
array is packed, and the packing is effective (see separate section on
packed arrays), then the alignment will be one for long packed arrays,
or arrays whose length is not known at compile time.  For short packed
arrays, which are handled internally as modular types, the alignment
will be as described for primitive types, e.g.@: a packed array of length
31 bits will have an object size of four bytes, and an alignment of 4.
 
@item @emph{Records}.
For the normal non-packed case, the alignment of a record is equal to
the maximum alignment of any of its components.  For tagged records, this
includes the implicit access type used for the tag.  If a pragma @code{Pack}
is used and all components are packable (see separate section on pragma
@code{Pack}), then the resulting alignment is 1, unless the layout of the
record makes it profitable to increase it.
 
A special case is when:
@itemize @bullet
@item
the size of the record is given explicitly, or a
full record representation clause is given, and
@item
the size of the record is 2, 4, or 8 bytes.
@end itemize
@noindent
In this case, an alignment is chosen to match the
size of the record. For example, if we have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Small is record
      A, B : Character;
   end record;
   for Small'Size use 16;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the default alignment of the record type @code{Small} is 2, not 1. This
leads to more efficient code when the record is treated as a unit, and also
allows the type to specified as @code{Atomic} on architectures requiring
strict alignment.
 
@end itemize
 
@noindent
An alignment clause may specify a larger alignment than the default value
up to some maximum value dependent on the target (obtainable by using the
attribute reference @code{Standard'Maximum_Alignment}). It may also specify
a smaller alignment than the default value for enumeration, integer and
fixed point types, as well as for record types, for example
 
@smallexample @c ada
  type V is record
     A : Integer;
  end record;
 
  for V'alignment use 1;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
@cindex Alignment, default
The default alignment for the type @code{V} is 4, as a result of the
Integer field in the record, but it is permissible, as shown, to
override the default alignment of the record with a smaller value.
 
@node Size Clauses
@section Size Clauses
@cindex Size Clause
 
@noindent
The default size for a type @code{T} is obtainable through the
language-defined attribute @code{T'Size} and also through the
equivalent GNAT-defined attribute @code{T'Value_Size}.
For objects of type @code{T}, GNAT will generally increase the type size
so that the object size (obtainable through the GNAT-defined attribute
@code{T'Object_Size})
is a multiple of @code{T'Alignment * Storage_Unit}.
For example
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Smallint is range 1 .. 6;
 
   type Rec is record
      Y1 : integer;
      Y2 : boolean;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In this example, @code{Smallint'Size} = @code{Smallint'Value_Size} = 3,
as specified by the RM rules,
but objects of this type will have a size of 8
(@code{Smallint'Object_Size} = 8),
since objects by default occupy an integral number
of storage units.  On some targets, notably older
versions of the Digital Alpha, the size of stand
alone objects of this type may be 32, reflecting
the inability of the hardware to do byte load/stores.
 
Similarly, the size of type @code{Rec} is 40 bits
(@code{Rec'Size} = @code{Rec'Value_Size} = 40), but
the alignment is 4, so objects of this type will have
their size increased to 64 bits so that it is a multiple
of the alignment (in bits).  This decision is
in accordance with the specific Implementation Advice in RM 13.3(43):
 
@quotation
A @code{Size} clause should be supported for an object if the specified
@code{Size} is at least as large as its subtype's @code{Size}, and corresponds
to a size in storage elements that is a multiple of the object's
@code{Alignment} (if the @code{Alignment} is nonzero).
@end quotation
 
@noindent
An explicit size clause may be used to override the default size by
increasing it.  For example, if we have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type My_Boolean is new Boolean;
   for My_Boolean'Size use 32;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then values of this type will always be 32 bits long.  In the case of
discrete types, the size can be increased up to 64 bits, with the effect
that the entire specified field is used to hold the value, sign- or
zero-extended as appropriate.  If more than 64 bits is specified, then
padding space is allocated after the value, and a warning is issued that
there are unused bits.
 
Similarly the size of records and arrays may be increased, and the effect
is to add padding bits after the value.  This also causes a warning message
to be generated.
 
The largest Size value permitted in GNAT is 2**31@minus{}1.  Since this is a
Size in bits, this corresponds to an object of size 256 megabytes (minus
one).  This limitation is true on all targets.  The reason for this
limitation is that it improves the quality of the code in many cases
if it is known that a Size value can be accommodated in an object of
type Integer.
 
@node Storage_Size Clauses
@section Storage_Size Clauses
@cindex Storage_Size Clause
 
@noindent
For tasks, the @code{Storage_Size} clause specifies the amount of space
to be allocated for the task stack.  This cannot be extended, and if the
stack is exhausted, then @code{Storage_Error} will be raised (if stack
checking is enabled).  Use a @code{Storage_Size} attribute definition clause,
or a @code{Storage_Size} pragma in the task definition to set the
appropriate required size.  A useful technique is to include in every
task definition a pragma of the form:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   pragma Storage_Size (Default_Stack_Size);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Then @code{Default_Stack_Size} can be defined in a global package, and
modified as required. Any tasks requiring stack sizes different from the
default can have an appropriate alternative reference in the pragma.
 
You can also use the @option{-d} binder switch to modify the default stack
size.
 
For access types, the @code{Storage_Size} clause specifies the maximum
space available for allocation of objects of the type.  If this space is
exceeded then @code{Storage_Error} will be raised by an allocation attempt.
In the case where the access type is declared local to a subprogram, the
use of a @code{Storage_Size} clause triggers automatic use of a special
predefined storage pool (@code{System.Pool_Size}) that ensures that all
space for the pool is automatically reclaimed on exit from the scope in
which the type is declared.
 
A special case recognized by the compiler is the specification of a
@code{Storage_Size} of zero for an access type.  This means that no
items can be allocated from the pool, and this is recognized at compile
time, and all the overhead normally associated with maintaining a fixed
size storage pool is eliminated.  Consider the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   procedure p is
      type R is array (Natural) of Character;
      type P is access all R;
      for P'Storage_Size use 0;
      --  Above access type intended only for interfacing purposes
 
      y : P;
 
      procedure g (m : P);
      pragma Import (C, g);
 
      --  @dots{}
 
   begin
      --  @dots{}
      y := new R;
   end;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
As indicated in this example, these dummy storage pools are often useful in
connection with interfacing where no object will ever be allocated.  If you
compile the above example, you get the warning:
 
@smallexample
   p.adb:16:09: warning: allocation from empty storage pool
   p.adb:16:09: warning: Storage_Error will be raised at run time
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Of course in practice, there will not be any explicit allocators in the
case of such an access declaration.
 
@node Size of Variant Record Objects
@section Size of Variant Record Objects
@cindex Size, variant record objects
@cindex Variant record objects, size
 
@noindent
In the case of variant record objects, there is a question whether Size gives
information about a particular variant, or the maximum size required
for any variant.  Consider the following program
 
@smallexample @c ada
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure q is
   type R1 (A : Boolean := False) is record
     case A is
       when True  => X : Character;
       when False => null;
     end case;
   end record;
 
   V1 : R1 (False);
   V2 : R1;
 
begin
   Put_Line (Integer'Image (V1'Size));
   Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
end q;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Here we are dealing with a variant record, where the True variant
requires 16 bits, and the False variant requires 8 bits.
In the above example, both V1 and V2 contain the False variant,
which is only 8 bits long.  However, the result of running the
program is:
 
@smallexample
8
16
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The reason for the difference here is that the discriminant value of
V1 is fixed, and will always be False.  It is not possible to assign
a True variant value to V1, therefore 8 bits is sufficient.  On the
other hand, in the case of V2, the initial discriminant value is
False (from the default), but it is possible to assign a True
variant value to V2, therefore 16 bits must be allocated for V2
in the general case, even fewer bits may be needed at any particular
point during the program execution.
 
As can be seen from the output of this program, the @code{'Size}
attribute applied to such an object in GNAT gives the actual allocated
size of the variable, which is the largest size of any of the variants.
The Ada Reference Manual is not completely clear on what choice should
be made here, but the GNAT behavior seems most consistent with the
language in the RM@.
 
In some cases, it may be desirable to obtain the size of the current
variant, rather than the size of the largest variant.  This can be
achieved in GNAT by making use of the fact that in the case of a
subprogram parameter, GNAT does indeed return the size of the current
variant (because a subprogram has no way of knowing how much space
is actually allocated for the actual).
 
Consider the following modified version of the above program:
 
@smallexample @c ada
with Text_IO; use Text_IO;
procedure q is
   type R1 (A : Boolean := False) is record
     case A is
       when True  => X : Character;
       when False => null;
     end case;
   end record;
 
   V2 : R1;
 
   function Size (V : R1) return Integer is
   begin
      return V'Size;
   end Size;
 
begin
   Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
   Put_Line (Integer'IMage (Size (V2)));
   V2 := (True, 'x');
   Put_Line (Integer'Image (V2'Size));
   Put_Line (Integer'IMage (Size (V2)));
end q;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The output from this program is
 
@smallexample
16
8
16
16
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Here we see that while the @code{'Size} attribute always returns
the maximum size, regardless of the current variant value, the
@code{Size} function does indeed return the size of the current
variant value.
 
@node Biased Representation
@section Biased Representation
@cindex Size for biased representation
@cindex Biased representation
 
@noindent
In the case of scalars with a range starting at other than zero, it is
possible in some cases to specify a size smaller than the default minimum
value, and in such cases, GNAT uses an unsigned biased representation,
in which zero is used to represent the lower bound, and successive values
represent successive values of the type.
 
For example, suppose we have the declaration:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Small is range -7 .. -4;
   for Small'Size use 2;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Although the default size of type @code{Small} is 4, the @code{Size}
clause is accepted by GNAT and results in the following representation
scheme:
 
@smallexample
  -7 is represented as 2#00#
  -6 is represented as 2#01#
  -5 is represented as 2#10#
  -4 is represented as 2#11#
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Biased representation is only used if the specified @code{Size} clause
cannot be accepted in any other manner.  These reduced sizes that force
biased representation can be used for all discrete types except for
enumeration types for which a representation clause is given.
 
@node Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses
@section Value_Size and Object_Size Clauses
@findex Value_Size
@findex Object_Size
@cindex Size, of objects
 
@noindent
In Ada 95 and Ada 2005, @code{T'Size} for a type @code{T} is the minimum
number of bits required to hold values of type @code{T}.
Although this interpretation was allowed in Ada 83, it was not required,
and this requirement in practice can cause some significant difficulties.
For example, in most Ada 83 compilers, @code{Natural'Size} was 32.
However, in Ada 95 and Ada 2005,
@code{Natural'Size} is
typically 31.  This means that code may change in behavior when moving
from Ada 83 to Ada 95 or Ada 2005.  For example, consider:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Rec is record;
      A : Natural;
      B : Natural;
   end record;
 
   for Rec use record
      at 0  range 0 .. Natural'Size - 1;
      at 0  range Natural'Size .. 2 * Natural'Size - 1;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In the above code, since the typical size of @code{Natural} objects
is 32 bits and @code{Natural'Size} is 31, the above code can cause
unexpected inefficient packing in Ada 95 and Ada 2005, and in general
there are cases where the fact that the object size can exceed the
size of the type causes surprises.
 
To help get around this problem GNAT provides two implementation
defined attributes, @code{Value_Size} and @code{Object_Size}.  When
applied to a type, these attributes yield the size of the type
(corresponding to the RM defined size attribute), and the size of
objects of the type respectively.
 
The @code{Object_Size} is used for determining the default size of
objects and components.  This size value can be referred to using the
@code{Object_Size} attribute.  The phrase ``is used'' here means that it is
the basis of the determination of the size.  The backend is free to
pad this up if necessary for efficiency, e.g.@: an 8-bit stand-alone
character might be stored in 32 bits on a machine with no efficient
byte access instructions such as the Alpha.
 
The default rules for the value of @code{Object_Size} for
discrete types are as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The @code{Object_Size} for base subtypes reflect the natural hardware
size in bits (run the compiler with @option{-gnatS} to find those values
for numeric types). Enumeration types and fixed-point base subtypes have
8, 16, 32 or 64 bits for this size, depending on the range of values
to be stored.
 
@item
The @code{Object_Size} of a subtype is the same as the
@code{Object_Size} of
the type from which it is obtained.
 
@item
The @code{Object_Size} of a derived base type is copied from the parent
base type, and the @code{Object_Size} of a derived first subtype is copied
from the parent first subtype.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The @code{Value_Size} attribute
is the (minimum) number of bits required to store a value
of the type.
This value is used to determine how tightly to pack
records or arrays with components of this type, and also affects
the semantics of unchecked conversion (unchecked conversions where
the @code{Value_Size} values differ generate a warning, and are potentially
target dependent).
 
The default rules for the value of @code{Value_Size} are as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The @code{Value_Size} for a base subtype is the minimum number of bits
required to store all values of the type (including the sign bit
only if negative values are possible).
 
@item
If a subtype statically matches the first subtype of a given type, then it has
by default the same @code{Value_Size} as the first subtype.  This is a
consequence of RM 13.1(14) (``if two subtypes statically match,
then their subtype-specific aspects are the same''.)
 
@item
All other subtypes have a @code{Value_Size} corresponding to the minimum
number of bits required to store all values of the subtype.  For
dynamic bounds, it is assumed that the value can range down or up
to the corresponding bound of the ancestor
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The RM defined attribute @code{Size} corresponds to the
@code{Value_Size} attribute.
 
The @code{Size} attribute may be defined for a first-named subtype.  This sets
the @code{Value_Size} of
the first-named subtype to the given value, and the
@code{Object_Size} of this first-named subtype to the given value padded up
to an appropriate boundary.  It is a consequence of the default rules
above that this @code{Object_Size} will apply to all further subtypes.  On the
other hand, @code{Value_Size} is affected only for the first subtype, any
dynamic subtypes obtained from it directly, and any statically matching
subtypes.  The @code{Value_Size} of any other static subtypes is not affected.
 
@code{Value_Size} and
@code{Object_Size} may be explicitly set for any subtype using
an attribute definition clause.  Note that the use of these attributes
can cause the RM 13.1(14) rule to be violated.  If two access types
reference aliased objects whose subtypes have differing @code{Object_Size}
values as a result of explicit attribute definition clauses, then it
is erroneous to convert from one access subtype to the other.
 
At the implementation level, Esize stores the Object_Size and the
RM_Size field stores the @code{Value_Size} (and hence the value of the
@code{Size} attribute,
which, as noted above, is equivalent to @code{Value_Size}).
 
To get a feel for the difference, consider the following examples (note
that in each case the base is @code{Short_Short_Integer} with a size of 8):
 
@smallexample
                                       Object_Size     Value_Size
 
type x1 is range 0 .. 5;                    8               3
 
type x2 is range 0 .. 5;
for x2'size use 12;                        16              12
 
subtype x3 is x2 range 0 .. 3;             16               2
 
subtype x4 is x2'base range 0 .. 10;        8               4
 
subtype x5 is x2 range 0 .. dynamic;       16               3*
 
subtype x6 is x2'base range 0 .. dynamic;   8               3*
 
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note: the entries marked ``3*'' are not actually specified by the Ada
Reference Manual, but it seems in the spirit of the RM rules to allocate
the minimum number of bits (here 3, given the range for @code{x2})
known to be large enough to hold the given range of values.
 
So far, so good, but GNAT has to obey the RM rules, so the question is
under what conditions must the RM @code{Size} be used.
The following is a list
of the occasions on which the RM @code{Size} must be used:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
Component size for packed arrays or records
 
@item
Value of the attribute @code{Size} for a type
 
@item
Warning about sizes not matching for unchecked conversion
@end itemize
 
@noindent
For record types, the @code{Object_Size} is always a multiple of the
alignment of the type (this is true for all types). In some cases the
@code{Value_Size} can be smaller. Consider:
 
@smallexample
   type R is record
     X : Integer;
     Y : Character;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
On a typical 32-bit architecture, the X component will be four bytes, and
require four-byte alignment, and the Y component will be one byte. In this
case @code{R'Value_Size} will be 40 (bits) since this is the minimum size
required to store a value of this type, and for example, it is permissible
to have a component of type R in an outer array whose component size is
specified to be 48 bits. However, @code{R'Object_Size} will be 64 (bits),
since it must be rounded up so that this value is a multiple of the
alignment (4 bytes = 32 bits).
 
@noindent
For all other types, the @code{Object_Size}
and Value_Size are the same (and equivalent to the RM attribute @code{Size}).
Only @code{Size} may be specified for such types.
 
@node Component_Size Clauses
@section Component_Size Clauses
@cindex Component_Size Clause
 
@noindent
Normally, the value specified in a component size clause must be consistent
with the subtype of the array component with regard to size and alignment.
In other words, the value specified must be at least equal to the size
of this subtype, and must be a multiple of the alignment value.
 
In addition, component size clauses are allowed which cause the array
to be packed, by specifying a smaller value.  A first case is for
component size values in the range 1 through 63.  The value specified
must not be smaller than the Size of the subtype.  GNAT will accurately
honor all packing requests in this range.  For example, if we have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type r is array (1 .. 8) of Natural;
for r'Component_Size use 31;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the resulting array has a length of 31 bytes (248 bits = 8 * 31).
Of course access to the components of such an array is considerably
less efficient than if the natural component size of 32 is used.
A second case is when the subtype of the component is a record type
padded because of its default alignment.  For example, if we have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type r is record
  i : Integer;
  j : Integer;
  b : Boolean;
end record;
 
type a is array (1 .. 8) of r;
for a'Component_Size use 72;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the resulting array has a length of 72 bytes, instead of 96 bytes
if the alignment of the record (4) was obeyed.
 
Note that there is no point in giving both a component size clause
and a pragma Pack for the same array type. if such duplicate
clauses are given, the pragma Pack will be ignored.
 
@node Bit_Order Clauses
@section Bit_Order Clauses
@cindex Bit_Order Clause
@cindex bit ordering
@cindex ordering, of bits
 
@noindent
For record subtypes, GNAT permits the specification of the @code{Bit_Order}
attribute.  The specification may either correspond to the default bit
order for the target, in which case the specification has no effect and
places no additional restrictions, or it may be for the non-standard
setting (that is the opposite of the default).
 
In the case where the non-standard value is specified, the effect is
to renumber bits within each byte, but the ordering of bytes is not
affected.  There are certain
restrictions placed on component clauses as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
 
@item Components fitting within a single storage unit.
@noindent
These are unrestricted, and the effect is merely to renumber bits.  For
example if we are on a little-endian machine with @code{Low_Order_First}
being the default, then the following two declarations have exactly
the same effect:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R1 is record
      A : Boolean;
      B : Integer range 1 .. 120;
   end record;
 
   for R1 use record
      A at 0 range 0 .. 0;
      B at 0 range 1 .. 7;
   end record;
 
   type R2 is record
      A : Boolean;
      B : Integer range 1 .. 120;
   end record;
 
   for R2'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
 
   for R2 use record
      A at 0 range 7 .. 7;
      B at 0 range 0 .. 6;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The useful application here is to write the second declaration with the
@code{Bit_Order} attribute definition clause, and know that it will be treated
the same, regardless of whether the target is little-endian or big-endian.
 
@item Components occupying an integral number of bytes.
@noindent
These are components that exactly fit in two or more bytes.  Such component
declarations are allowed, but have no effect, since it is important to realize
that the @code{Bit_Order} specification does not affect the ordering of bytes.
In particular, the following attempt at getting an endian-independent integer
does not work:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R2 is record
      A : Integer;
   end record;
 
   for R2'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
 
   for R2 use record
      A at 0 range 0 .. 31;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This declaration will result in a little-endian integer on a
little-endian machine, and a big-endian integer on a big-endian machine.
If byte flipping is required for interoperability between big- and
little-endian machines, this must be explicitly programmed.  This capability
is not provided by @code{Bit_Order}.
 
@item Components that are positioned across byte boundaries
@noindent
but do not occupy an integral number of bytes.  Given that bytes are not
reordered, such fields would occupy a non-contiguous sequence of bits
in memory, requiring non-trivial code to reassemble.  They are for this
reason not permitted, and any component clause specifying such a layout
will be flagged as illegal by GNAT@.
 
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Since the misconception that Bit_Order automatically deals with all
endian-related incompatibilities is a common one, the specification of
a component field that is an integral number of bytes will always
generate a warning.  This warning may be suppressed using @code{pragma
Warnings (Off)} if desired.  The following section contains additional
details regarding the issue of byte ordering.
 
@node Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering
@section Effect of Bit_Order on Byte Ordering
@cindex byte ordering
@cindex ordering, of bytes
 
@noindent
In this section we will review the effect of the @code{Bit_Order} attribute
definition clause on byte ordering.  Briefly, it has no effect at all, but
a detailed example will be helpful.  Before giving this
example, let us review the precise
definition of the effect of defining @code{Bit_Order}.  The effect of a
non-standard bit order is described in section 15.5.3 of the Ada
Reference Manual:
 
@quotation
2   A bit ordering is a method of interpreting the meaning of
the storage place attributes.
@end quotation
 
@noindent
To understand the precise definition of storage place attributes in
this context, we visit section 13.5.1 of the manual:
 
@quotation
13   A record_representation_clause (without the mod_clause)
specifies the layout.  The storage place attributes (see 13.5.2)
are taken from the values of the position, first_bit, and last_bit
expressions after normalizing those values so that first_bit is
less than Storage_Unit.
@end quotation
 
@noindent
The critical point here is that storage places are taken from
the values after normalization, not before.  So the @code{Bit_Order}
interpretation applies to normalized values.  The interpretation
is described in the later part of the 15.5.3 paragraph:
 
@quotation
2   A bit ordering is a method of interpreting the meaning of
the storage place attributes.  High_Order_First (known in the
vernacular as ``big endian'') means that the first bit of a
storage element (bit 0) is the most significant bit (interpreting
the sequence of bits that represent a component as an unsigned
integer value).  Low_Order_First (known in the vernacular as
``little endian'') means the opposite: the first bit is the
least significant.
@end quotation
 
@noindent
Note that the numbering is with respect to the bits of a storage
unit.  In other words, the specification affects only the numbering
of bits within a single storage unit.
 
We can make the effect clearer by giving an example.
 
Suppose that we have an external device which presents two bytes, the first
byte presented, which is the first (low addressed byte) of the two byte
record is called Master, and the second byte is called Slave.
 
The left most (most significant bit is called Control for each byte, and
the remaining 7 bits are called V1, V2, @dots{} V7, where V7 is the rightmost
(least significant) bit.
 
On a big-endian machine, we can write the following representation clause
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Data is record
      Master_Control : Bit;
      Master_V1      : Bit;
      Master_V2      : Bit;
      Master_V3      : Bit;
      Master_V4      : Bit;
      Master_V5      : Bit;
      Master_V6      : Bit;
      Master_V7      : Bit;
      Slave_Control  : Bit;
      Slave_V1       : Bit;
      Slave_V2       : Bit;
      Slave_V3       : Bit;
      Slave_V4       : Bit;
      Slave_V5       : Bit;
      Slave_V6       : Bit;
      Slave_V7       : Bit;
   end record;
 
   for Data use record
      Master_Control at 0 range 0 .. 0;
      Master_V1      at 0 range 1 .. 1;
      Master_V2      at 0 range 2 .. 2;
      Master_V3      at 0 range 3 .. 3;
      Master_V4      at 0 range 4 .. 4;
      Master_V5      at 0 range 5 .. 5;
      Master_V6      at 0 range 6 .. 6;
      Master_V7      at 0 range 7 .. 7;
      Slave_Control  at 1 range 0 .. 0;
      Slave_V1       at 1 range 1 .. 1;
      Slave_V2       at 1 range 2 .. 2;
      Slave_V3       at 1 range 3 .. 3;
      Slave_V4       at 1 range 4 .. 4;
      Slave_V5       at 1 range 5 .. 5;
      Slave_V6       at 1 range 6 .. 6;
      Slave_V7       at 1 range 7 .. 7;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Now if we move this to a little endian machine, then the bit ordering within
the byte is backwards, so we have to rewrite the record rep clause as:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   for Data use record
      Master_Control at 0 range 7 .. 7;
      Master_V1      at 0 range 6 .. 6;
      Master_V2      at 0 range 5 .. 5;
      Master_V3      at 0 range 4 .. 4;
      Master_V4      at 0 range 3 .. 3;
      Master_V5      at 0 range 2 .. 2;
      Master_V6      at 0 range 1 .. 1;
      Master_V7      at 0 range 0 .. 0;
      Slave_Control  at 1 range 7 .. 7;
      Slave_V1       at 1 range 6 .. 6;
      Slave_V2       at 1 range 5 .. 5;
      Slave_V3       at 1 range 4 .. 4;
      Slave_V4       at 1 range 3 .. 3;
      Slave_V5       at 1 range 2 .. 2;
      Slave_V6       at 1 range 1 .. 1;
      Slave_V7       at 1 range 0 .. 0;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
It is a nuisance to have to rewrite the clause, especially if
the code has to be maintained on both machines.  However,
this is a case that we can handle with the
@code{Bit_Order} attribute if it is implemented.
Note that the implementation is not required on byte addressed
machines, but it is indeed implemented in GNAT.
This means that we can simply use the
first record clause, together with the declaration
 
@smallexample @c ada
   for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
and the effect is what is desired, namely the layout is exactly the same,
independent of whether the code is compiled on a big-endian or little-endian
machine.
 
The important point to understand is that byte ordering is not affected.
A @code{Bit_Order} attribute definition never affects which byte a field
ends up in, only where it ends up in that byte.
To make this clear, let us rewrite the record rep clause of the previous
example as:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
   for Data use record
      Master_Control at 0 range  0 .. 0;
      Master_V1      at 0 range  1 .. 1;
      Master_V2      at 0 range  2 .. 2;
      Master_V3      at 0 range  3 .. 3;
      Master_V4      at 0 range  4 .. 4;
      Master_V5      at 0 range  5 .. 5;
      Master_V6      at 0 range  6 .. 6;
      Master_V7      at 0 range  7 .. 7;
      Slave_Control  at 0 range  8 .. 8;
      Slave_V1       at 0 range  9 .. 9;
      Slave_V2       at 0 range 10 .. 10;
      Slave_V3       at 0 range 11 .. 11;
      Slave_V4       at 0 range 12 .. 12;
      Slave_V5       at 0 range 13 .. 13;
      Slave_V6       at 0 range 14 .. 14;
      Slave_V7       at 0 range 15 .. 15;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This is exactly equivalent to saying (a repeat of the first example):
 
@smallexample @c ada
   for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
   for Data use record
      Master_Control at 0 range 0 .. 0;
      Master_V1      at 0 range 1 .. 1;
      Master_V2      at 0 range 2 .. 2;
      Master_V3      at 0 range 3 .. 3;
      Master_V4      at 0 range 4 .. 4;
      Master_V5      at 0 range 5 .. 5;
      Master_V6      at 0 range 6 .. 6;
      Master_V7      at 0 range 7 .. 7;
      Slave_Control  at 1 range 0 .. 0;
      Slave_V1       at 1 range 1 .. 1;
      Slave_V2       at 1 range 2 .. 2;
      Slave_V3       at 1 range 3 .. 3;
      Slave_V4       at 1 range 4 .. 4;
      Slave_V5       at 1 range 5 .. 5;
      Slave_V6       at 1 range 6 .. 6;
      Slave_V7       at 1 range 7 .. 7;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Why are they equivalent? Well take a specific field, the @code{Slave_V2}
field.  The storage place attributes are obtained by normalizing the
values given so that the @code{First_Bit} value is less than 8.  After
normalizing the values (0,10,10) we get (1,2,2) which is exactly what
we specified in the other case.
 
Now one might expect that the @code{Bit_Order} attribute might affect
bit numbering within the entire record component (two bytes in this
case, thus affecting which byte fields end up in), but that is not
the way this feature is defined, it only affects numbering of bits,
not which byte they end up in.
 
Consequently it never makes sense to specify a starting bit number
greater than 7 (for a byte addressable field) if an attribute
definition for @code{Bit_Order} has been given, and indeed it
may be actively confusing to specify such a value, so the compiler
generates a warning for such usage.
 
If you do need to control byte ordering then appropriate conditional
values must be used.  If in our example, the slave byte came first on
some machines we might write:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   Master_Byte_First constant Boolean := @dots{};
 
   Master_Byte : constant Natural :=
                   1 - Boolean'Pos (Master_Byte_First);
   Slave_Byte  : constant Natural :=
                   Boolean'Pos (Master_Byte_First);
 
   for Data'Bit_Order use High_Order_First;
   for Data use record
      Master_Control at Master_Byte range 0 .. 0;
      Master_V1      at Master_Byte range 1 .. 1;
      Master_V2      at Master_Byte range 2 .. 2;
      Master_V3      at Master_Byte range 3 .. 3;
      Master_V4      at Master_Byte range 4 .. 4;
      Master_V5      at Master_Byte range 5 .. 5;
      Master_V6      at Master_Byte range 6 .. 6;
      Master_V7      at Master_Byte range 7 .. 7;
      Slave_Control  at Slave_Byte  range 0 .. 0;
      Slave_V1       at Slave_Byte  range 1 .. 1;
      Slave_V2       at Slave_Byte  range 2 .. 2;
      Slave_V3       at Slave_Byte  range 3 .. 3;
      Slave_V4       at Slave_Byte  range 4 .. 4;
      Slave_V5       at Slave_Byte  range 5 .. 5;
      Slave_V6       at Slave_Byte  range 6 .. 6;
      Slave_V7       at Slave_Byte  range 7 .. 7;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Now to switch between machines, all that is necessary is
to set the boolean constant @code{Master_Byte_First} in
an appropriate manner.
 
@node Pragma Pack for Arrays
@section Pragma Pack for Arrays
@cindex Pragma Pack (for arrays)
 
@noindent
Pragma @code{Pack} applied to an array has no effect unless the component type
is packable.  For a component type to be packable, it must be one of the
following cases:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
Any scalar type
@item
Any type whose size is specified with a size clause
@item
Any packed array type with a static size
@item
Any record type padded because of its default alignment
@end itemize
 
@noindent
For all these cases, if the component subtype size is in the range
1 through 63, then the effect of the pragma @code{Pack} is exactly as though a
component size were specified giving the component subtype size.
For example if we have:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type r is range 0 .. 17;
 
   type ar is array (1 .. 8) of r;
   pragma Pack (ar);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Then the component size of @code{ar} will be set to 5 (i.e.@: to @code{r'size},
and the size of the array @code{ar} will be exactly 40 bits.
 
Note that in some cases this rather fierce approach to packing can produce
unexpected effects.  For example, in Ada 95 and Ada 2005,
subtype @code{Natural} typically has a size of 31, meaning that if you
pack an array of @code{Natural}, you get 31-bit
close packing, which saves a few bits, but results in far less efficient
access.  Since many other Ada compilers will ignore such a packing request,
GNAT will generate a warning on some uses of pragma @code{Pack} that it guesses
might not be what is intended.  You can easily remove this warning by
using an explicit @code{Component_Size} setting instead, which never generates
a warning, since the intention of the programmer is clear in this case.
 
GNAT treats packed arrays in one of two ways.  If the size of the array is
known at compile time and is less than 64 bits, then internally the array
is represented as a single modular type, of exactly the appropriate number
of bits.  If the length is greater than 63 bits, or is not known at compile
time, then the packed array is represented as an array of bytes, and the
length is always a multiple of 8 bits.
 
Note that to represent a packed array as a modular type, the alignment must
be suitable for the modular type involved. For example, on typical machines
a 32-bit packed array will be represented by a 32-bit modular integer with
an alignment of four bytes. If you explicitly override the default alignment
with an alignment clause that is too small, the modular representation
cannot be used. For example, consider the following set of declarations:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R is range 1 .. 3;
   type S is array (1 .. 31) of R;
   for S'Component_Size use 2;
   for S'Size use 62;
   for S'Alignment use 1;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
If the alignment clause were not present, then a 62-bit modular
representation would be chosen (typically with an alignment of 4 or 8
bytes depending on the target). But the default alignment is overridden
with the explicit alignment clause. This means that the modular
representation cannot be used, and instead the array of bytes
representation must be used, meaning that the length must be a multiple
of 8. Thus the above set of declarations will result in a diagnostic
rejecting the size clause and noting that the minimum size allowed is 64.
 
@cindex Pragma Pack (for type Natural)
@cindex Pragma Pack warning
 
One special case that is worth noting occurs when the base type of the
component size is 8/16/32 and the subtype is one bit less. Notably this
occurs with subtype @code{Natural}. Consider:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Arr is array (1 .. 32) of Natural;
   pragma Pack (Arr);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In all commonly used Ada 83 compilers, this pragma Pack would be ignored,
since typically @code{Natural'Size} is 32 in Ada 83, and in any case most
Ada 83 compilers did not attempt 31 bit packing.
 
In Ada 95 and Ada 2005, @code{Natural'Size} is required to be 31. Furthermore,
GNAT really does pack 31-bit subtype to 31 bits. This may result in a
substantial unintended performance penalty when porting legacy Ada 83 code.
To help prevent this, GNAT generates a warning in such cases. If you really
want 31 bit packing in a case like this, you can set the component size
explicitly:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Arr is array (1 .. 32) of Natural;
   for Arr'Component_Size use 31;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Here 31-bit packing is achieved as required, and no warning is generated,
since in this case the programmer intention is clear.
 
@node Pragma Pack for Records
@section Pragma Pack for Records
@cindex Pragma Pack (for records)
 
@noindent
Pragma @code{Pack} applied to a record will pack the components to reduce
wasted space from alignment gaps and by reducing the amount of space
taken by components.  We distinguish between @emph{packable} components and
@emph{non-packable} components.
Components of the following types are considered packable:
@itemize @bullet
@item
All primitive types are packable.
 
@item
Small packed arrays, whose size does not exceed 64 bits, and where the
size is statically known at compile time, are represented internally
as modular integers, and so they are also packable.
 
@end itemize
 
@noindent
All packable components occupy the exact number of bits corresponding to
their @code{Size} value, and are packed with no padding bits, i.e.@: they
can start on an arbitrary bit boundary.
 
All other types are non-packable, they occupy an integral number of
storage units, and
are placed at a boundary corresponding to their alignment requirements.
 
For example, consider the record
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Rb1 is array (1 .. 13) of Boolean;
   pragma Pack (rb1);
 
   type Rb2 is array (1 .. 65) of Boolean;
   pragma Pack (rb2);
 
   type x2 is record
      l1 : Boolean;
      l2 : Duration;
      l3 : Float;
      l4 : Boolean;
      l5 : Rb1;
      l6 : Rb2;
   end record;
   pragma Pack (x2);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The representation for the record x2 is as follows:
 
@smallexample @c ada
for x2'Size use 224;
for x2 use record
   l1 at  0 range  0 .. 0;
   l2 at  0 range  1 .. 64;
   l3 at 12 range  0 .. 31;
   l4 at 16 range  0 .. 0;
   l5 at 16 range  1 .. 13;
   l6 at 18 range  0 .. 71;
end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Studying this example, we see that the packable fields @code{l1}
and @code{l2} are
of length equal to their sizes, and placed at specific bit boundaries (and
not byte boundaries) to
eliminate padding.  But @code{l3} is of a non-packable float type, so
it is on the next appropriate alignment boundary.
 
The next two fields are fully packable, so @code{l4} and @code{l5} are
minimally packed with no gaps.  However, type @code{Rb2} is a packed
array that is longer than 64 bits, so it is itself non-packable.  Thus
the @code{l6} field is aligned to the next byte boundary, and takes an
integral number of bytes, i.e.@: 72 bits.
 
@node Record Representation Clauses
@section Record Representation Clauses
@cindex Record Representation Clause
 
@noindent
Record representation clauses may be given for all record types, including
types obtained by record extension.  Component clauses are allowed for any
static component.  The restrictions on component clauses depend on the type
of the component.
 
@cindex Component Clause
For all components of an elementary type, the only restriction on component
clauses is that the size must be at least the 'Size value of the type
(actually the Value_Size).  There are no restrictions due to alignment,
and such components may freely cross storage boundaries.
 
Packed arrays with a size up to and including 64 bits are represented
internally using a modular type with the appropriate number of bits, and
thus the same lack of restriction applies.  For example, if you declare:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R is array (1 .. 49) of Boolean;
   pragma Pack (R);
   for R'Size use 49;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then a component clause for a component of type R may start on any
specified bit boundary, and may specify a value of 49 bits or greater.
 
For packed bit arrays that are longer than 64 bits, there are two
cases. If the component size is a power of 2 (1,2,4,8,16,32 bits),
including the important case of single bits or boolean values, then
there are no limitations on placement of such components, and they
may start and end at arbitrary bit boundaries.
 
If the component size is not a power of 2 (e.g.@: 3 or 5), then
an array of this type longer than 64 bits must always be placed on
on a storage unit (byte) boundary and occupy an integral number
of storage units (bytes). Any component clause that does not
meet this requirement will be rejected.
 
Any aliased component, or component of an aliased type, must
have its normal alignment and size. A component clause that
does not meet this requirement will be rejected.
 
The tag field of a tagged type always occupies an address sized field at
the start of the record.  No component clause may attempt to overlay this
tag. When a tagged type appears as a component, the tag field must have
proper alignment
 
In the case of a record extension T1, of a type T, no component clause applied
to the type T1 can specify a storage location that would overlap the first
T'Size bytes of the record.
 
For all other component types, including non-bit-packed arrays,
the component can be placed at an arbitrary bit boundary,
so for example, the following is permitted:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type R is array (1 .. 10) of Boolean;
   for R'Size use 80;
 
   type Q is record
      G, H : Boolean;
      L, M : R;
   end record;
 
   for Q use record
      G at 0 range  0 ..   0;
      H at 0 range  1 ..   1;
      L at 0 range  2 ..  81;
      R at 0 range 82 .. 161;
   end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Note: the above rules apply to recent releases of GNAT 5.
In GNAT 3, there are more severe restrictions on larger components.
For non-primitive types, including packed arrays with a size greater than
64 bits, component clauses must respect the alignment requirement of the
type, in particular, always starting on a byte boundary, and the length
must be a multiple of the storage unit.
 
@node Enumeration Clauses
@section Enumeration Clauses
 
The only restriction on enumeration clauses is that the range of values
must be representable.  For the signed case, if one or more of the
representation values are negative, all values must be in the range:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   System.Min_Int .. System.Max_Int
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
For the unsigned case, where all values are nonnegative, the values must
be in the range:
 
@smallexample @c ada
 
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A @emph{confirming} representation clause is one in which the values range
from 0 in sequence, i.e.@: a clause that confirms the default representation
for an enumeration type.
Such a confirming representation
is permitted by these rules, and is specially recognized by the compiler so
that no extra overhead results from the use of such a clause.
 
If an array has an index type which is an enumeration type to which an
enumeration clause has been applied, then the array is stored in a compact
manner.  Consider the declarations:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type r is (A, B, C);
   for r use (A => 1, B => 5, C => 10);
   type t is array (r) of Character;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The array type t corresponds to a vector with exactly three elements and
has a default size equal to @code{3*Character'Size}.  This ensures efficient
use of space, but means that accesses to elements of the array will incur
the overhead of converting representation values to the corresponding
positional values, (i.e.@: the value delivered by the @code{Pos} attribute).
 
@node Address Clauses
@section Address Clauses
@cindex Address Clause
 
The reference manual allows a general restriction on representation clauses,
as found in RM 13.1(22):
 
@quotation
An implementation need not support representation
items containing nonstatic expressions, except that
an implementation should support a representation item
for a given entity if each nonstatic expression in the
representation item is a name that statically denotes
a constant declared before the entity.
@end quotation
 
@noindent
In practice this is applicable only to address clauses, since this is the
only case in which a non-static expression is permitted by the syntax.  As
the AARM notes in sections 13.1 (22.a-22.h):
 
@display
  22.a   Reason: This is to avoid the following sort of thing:
 
  22.b        X : Integer := F(@dots{});
              Y : Address := G(@dots{});
              for X'Address use Y;
 
  22.c   In the above, we have to evaluate the
         initialization expression for X before we
         know where to put the result.  This seems
         like an unreasonable implementation burden.
 
  22.d   The above code should instead be written
         like this:
 
  22.e        Y : constant Address := G(@dots{});
              X : Integer := F(@dots{});
              for X'Address use Y;
 
  22.f   This allows the expression ``Y'' to be safely
         evaluated before X is created.
 
  22.g   The constant could be a formal parameter of mode in.
 
  22.h   An implementation can support other nonstatic
         expressions if it wants to.  Expressions of type
         Address are hardly ever static, but their value
         might be known at compile time anyway in many
         cases.
@end display
 
@noindent
GNAT does indeed permit many additional cases of non-static expressions.  In
particular, if the type involved is elementary there are no restrictions
(since in this case, holding a temporary copy of the initialization value,
if one is present, is inexpensive).  In addition, if there is no implicit or
explicit initialization, then there are no restrictions.  GNAT will reject
only the case where all three of these conditions hold:
 
@itemize @bullet
 
@item
The type of the item is non-elementary (e.g.@: a record or array).
 
@item
There is explicit or implicit initialization required for the object.
Note that access values are always implicitly initialized.
 
@item
The address value is non-static.  Here GNAT is more permissive than the
RM, and allows the address value to be the address of a previously declared
stand-alone variable, as long as it does not itself have an address clause.
 
@smallexample @c ada
           Anchor  : Some_Initialized_Type;
           Overlay : Some_Initialized_Type;
           for Overlay'Address use Anchor'Address;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
However, the prefix of the address clause cannot be an array component, or
a component of a discriminated record.
 
@end itemize
 
@noindent
As noted above in section 22.h, address values are typically non-static.  In
particular the To_Address function, even if applied to a literal value, is
a non-static function call.  To avoid this minor annoyance, GNAT provides
the implementation defined attribute 'To_Address.  The following two
expressions have identical values:
 
@findex Attribute
@findex To_Address
@smallexample @c ada
   To_Address (16#1234_0000#)
   System'To_Address (16#1234_0000#);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
except that the second form is considered to be a static expression, and
thus when used as an address clause value is always permitted.
 
@noindent
Additionally, GNAT treats as static an address clause that is an
unchecked_conversion of a static integer value.  This simplifies the porting
of legacy code, and provides a portable equivalent to the GNAT attribute
@code{To_Address}.
 
Another issue with address clauses is the interaction with alignment
requirements.  When an address clause is given for an object, the address
value must be consistent with the alignment of the object (which is usually
the same as the alignment of the type of the object).  If an address clause
is given that specifies an inappropriately aligned address value, then the
program execution is erroneous.
 
Since this source of erroneous behavior can have unfortunate effects, GNAT
checks (at compile time if possible, generating a warning, or at execution
time with a run-time check) that the alignment is appropriate.  If the
run-time check fails, then @code{Program_Error} is raised.  This run-time
check is suppressed if range checks are suppressed, or if the special GNAT
check Alignment_Check is suppressed, or if
@code{pragma Restrictions (No_Elaboration_Code)} is in effect.
 
Finally, GNAT does not permit overlaying of objects of controlled types or
composite types containing a controlled component. In most cases, the compiler
can detect an attempt at such overlays and will generate a warning at compile
time and a Program_Error exception at run time.
 
@findex Export
An address clause cannot be given for an exported object.  More
understandably the real restriction is that objects with an address
clause cannot be exported.  This is because such variables are not
defined by the Ada program, so there is no external object to export.
 
@findex Import
It is permissible to give an address clause and a pragma Import for the
same object.  In this case, the variable is not really defined by the
Ada program, so there is no external symbol to be linked.  The link name
and the external name are ignored in this case.  The reason that we allow this
combination is that it provides a useful idiom to avoid unwanted
initializations on objects with address clauses.
 
When an address clause is given for an object that has implicit or
explicit initialization, then by default initialization takes place.  This
means that the effect of the object declaration is to overwrite the
memory at the specified address.  This is almost always not what the
programmer wants, so GNAT will output a warning:
 
@smallexample
  with System;
  package G is
     type R is record
        M : Integer := 0;
     end record;
 
     Ext : R;
     for Ext'Address use System'To_Address (16#1234_1234#);
         |
  >>> warning: implicit initialization of "Ext" may
      modify overlaid storage
  >>> warning: use pragma Import for "Ext" to suppress
      initialization (RM B(24))
 
  end G;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
As indicated by the warning message, the solution is to use a (dummy) pragma
Import to suppress this initialization.  The pragma tell the compiler that the
object is declared and initialized elsewhere.  The following package compiles
without warnings (and the initialization is suppressed):
 
@smallexample @c ada
   with System;
   package G is
      type R is record
         M : Integer := 0;
      end record;
 
      Ext : R;
      for Ext'Address use System'To_Address (16#1234_1234#);
      pragma Import (Ada, Ext);
   end G;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A final issue with address clauses involves their use for overlaying
variables, as in the following example:
@cindex Overlaying of objects
 
@smallexample @c ada
  A : Integer;
  B : Integer;
  for B'Address use A'Address;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
or alternatively, using the form recommended by the RM:
 
@smallexample @c ada
  A    : Integer;
  Addr : constant Address := A'Address;
  B    : Integer;
  for B'Address use Addr;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In both of these cases, @code{A}
and @code{B} become aliased to one another via the
address clause. This use of address clauses to overlay
variables, achieving an effect similar to unchecked
conversion was erroneous in Ada 83, but in Ada 95 and Ada 2005
the effect is implementation defined. Furthermore, the
Ada RM specifically recommends that in a situation
like this, @code{B} should be subject to the following
implementation advice (RM 13.3(19)):
 
@quotation
19  If the Address of an object is specified, or it is imported
    or exported, then the implementation should not perform
    optimizations based on assumptions of no aliases.
@end quotation
 
@noindent
GNAT follows this recommendation, and goes further by also applying
this recommendation to the overlaid variable (@code{A}
in the above example) in this case. This means that the overlay
works "as expected", in that a modification to one of the variables
will affect the value of the other.
 
@node Effect of Convention on Representation
@section Effect of Convention on Representation
@cindex Convention, effect on representation
 
@noindent
Normally the specification of a foreign language convention for a type or
an object has no effect on the chosen representation.  In particular, the
representation chosen for data in GNAT generally meets the standard system
conventions, and for example records are laid out in a manner that is
consistent with C@.  This means that specifying convention C (for example)
has no effect.
 
There are four exceptions to this general rule:
 
@itemize @bullet
 
@item Convention Fortran and array subtypes
If pragma Convention Fortran is specified for an array subtype, then in
accordance with the implementation advice in section 3.6.2(11) of the
Ada Reference Manual, the array will be stored in a Fortran-compatible
column-major manner, instead of the normal default row-major order.
 
@item Convention C and enumeration types
GNAT normally stores enumeration types in 8, 16, or 32 bits as required
to accommodate all values of the type.  For example, for the enumeration
type declared by:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type Color is (Red, Green, Blue);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
8 bits is sufficient to store all values of the type, so by default, objects
of type @code{Color} will be represented using 8 bits.  However, normal C
convention is to use 32 bits for all enum values in C, since enum values
are essentially of type int.  If pragma @code{Convention C} is specified for an
Ada enumeration type, then the size is modified as necessary (usually to
32 bits) to be consistent with the C convention for enum values.
 
Note that this treatment applies only to types. If Convention C is given for
an enumeration object, where the enumeration type is not Convention C, then
Object_Size bits are allocated. For example, for a normal enumeration type,
with less than 256 elements, only 8 bits will be allocated for the object.
Since this may be a surprise in terms of what C expects, GNAT will issue a
warning in this situation. The warning can be suppressed by giving an explicit
size clause specifying the desired size.
 
@item Convention C/Fortran and Boolean types
In C, the usual convention for boolean values, that is values used for
conditions, is that zero represents false, and nonzero values represent
true.  In Ada, the normal convention is that two specific values, typically
0/1, are used to represent false/true respectively.
 
Fortran has a similar convention for @code{LOGICAL} values (any nonzero
value represents true).
 
To accommodate the Fortran and C conventions, if a pragma Convention specifies
C or Fortran convention for a derived Boolean, as in the following example:
 
@smallexample @c ada
   type C_Switch is new Boolean;
   pragma Convention (C, C_Switch);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then the GNAT generated code will treat any nonzero value as true.  For truth
values generated by GNAT, the conventional value 1 will be used for True, but
when one of these values is read, any nonzero value is treated as True.
 
@item Access types on OpenVMS
For 64-bit OpenVMS systems, access types (other than those for unconstrained
arrays) are 64-bits long. An exception to this rule is for the case of
C-convention access types where there is no explicit size clause present (or
inherited for derived types). In this case, GNAT chooses to make these
pointers 32-bits, which provides an easier path for migration of 32-bit legacy
code. size clause specifying 64-bits must be used to obtain a 64-bit pointer.
 
@end itemize
 
@node Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT
@section Determining the Representations chosen by GNAT
@cindex Representation, determination of
@cindex @option{-gnatR} switch
 
@noindent
Although the descriptions in this section are intended to be complete, it is
often easier to simply experiment to see what GNAT accepts and what the
effect is on the layout of types and objects.
 
As required by the Ada RM, if a representation clause is not accepted, then
it must be rejected as illegal by the compiler.  However, when a
representation clause or pragma is accepted, there can still be questions
of what the compiler actually does.  For example, if a partial record
representation clause specifies the location of some components and not
others, then where are the non-specified components placed? Or if pragma
@code{Pack} is used on a record, then exactly where are the resulting
fields placed? The section on pragma @code{Pack} in this chapter can be
used to answer the second question, but it is often easier to just see
what the compiler does.
 
For this purpose, GNAT provides the option @option{-gnatR}.  If you compile
with this option, then the compiler will output information on the actual
representations chosen, in a format similar to source representation
clauses.  For example, if we compile the package:
 
@smallexample @c ada
package q is
   type r (x : boolean) is tagged record
      case x is
         when True => S : String (1 .. 100);
         when False => null;
      end case;
   end record;
 
   type r2 is new r (false) with record
      y2 : integer;
   end record;
 
   for r2 use record
      y2 at 16 range 0 .. 31;
   end record;
 
   type x is record
      y : character;
   end record;
 
   type x1 is array (1 .. 10) of x;
   for x1'component_size use 11;
 
   type ia is access integer;
 
   type Rb1 is array (1 .. 13) of Boolean;
   pragma Pack (rb1);
 
   type Rb2 is array (1 .. 65) of Boolean;
   pragma Pack (rb2);
 
   type x2 is record
      l1 : Boolean;
      l2 : Duration;
      l3 : Float;
      l4 : Boolean;
      l5 : Rb1;
      l6 : Rb2;
   end record;
   pragma Pack (x2);
end q;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
using the switch @option{-gnatR} we obtain the following output:
 
@smallexample
Representation information for unit q
-------------------------------------
 
for r'Size use ??;
for r'Alignment use 4;
for r use record
   x    at 4 range  0 .. 7;
   _tag at 0 range  0 .. 31;
   s    at 5 range  0 .. 799;
end record;
 
for r2'Size use 160;
for r2'Alignment use 4;
for r2 use record
   x       at  4 range  0 .. 7;
   _tag    at  0 range  0 .. 31;
   _parent at  0 range  0 .. 63;
   y2      at 16 range  0 .. 31;
end record;
 
for x'Size use 8;
for x'Alignment use 1;
for x use record
   y at 0 range  0 .. 7;
end record;
 
for x1'Size use 112;
for x1'Alignment use 1;
for x1'Component_Size use 11;
 
for rb1'Size use 13;
for rb1'Alignment use 2;
for rb1'Component_Size use 1;
 
for rb2'Size use 72;
for rb2'Alignment use 1;
for rb2'Component_Size use 1;
 
for x2'Size use 224;
for x2'Alignment use 4;
for x2 use record
   l1 at  0 range  0 .. 0;
   l2 at  0 range  1 .. 64;
   l3 at 12 range  0 .. 31;
   l4 at 16 range  0 .. 0;
   l5 at 16 range  1 .. 13;
   l6 at 18 range  0 .. 71;
end record;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The Size values are actually the Object_Size, i.e.@: the default size that
will be allocated for objects of the type.
The ?? size for type r indicates that we have a variant record, and the
actual size of objects will depend on the discriminant value.
 
The Alignment values show the actual alignment chosen by the compiler
for each record or array type.
 
The record representation clause for type r shows where all fields
are placed, including the compiler generated tag field (whose location
cannot be controlled by the programmer).
 
The record representation clause for the type extension r2 shows all the
fields present, including the parent field, which is a copy of the fields
of the parent type of r2, i.e.@: r1.
 
The component size and size clauses for types rb1 and rb2 show
the exact effect of pragma @code{Pack} on these arrays, and the record
representation clause for type x2 shows how pragma @code{Pack} affects
this record type.
 
In some cases, it may be useful to cut and paste the representation clauses
generated by the compiler into the original source to fix and guarantee
the actual representation to be used.
 
@node Standard Library Routines
@chapter Standard Library Routines
 
@noindent
The Ada Reference Manual contains in Annex A a full description of an
extensive set of standard library routines that can be used in any Ada
program, and which must be provided by all Ada compilers.  They are
analogous to the standard C library used by C programs.
 
GNAT implements all of the facilities described in annex A, and for most
purposes the description in the Ada Reference Manual, or appropriate Ada
text book, will be sufficient for making use of these facilities.
 
In the case of the input-output facilities,
@xref{The Implementation of Standard I/O},
gives details on exactly how GNAT interfaces to the
file system.  For the remaining packages, the Ada Reference Manual
should be sufficient.  The following is a list of the packages included,
together with a brief description of the functionality that is provided.
 
For completeness, references are included to other predefined library
routines defined in other sections of the Ada Reference Manual (these are
cross-indexed from Annex A).
 
@table @code
@item Ada (A.2)
This is a parent package for all the standard library packages.  It is
usually included implicitly in your program, and itself contains no
useful data or routines.
 
@item Ada.Calendar (9.6)
@code{Calendar} provides time of day access, and routines for
manipulating times and durations.
 
@item Ada.Characters (A.3.1)
This is a dummy parent package that contains no useful entities
 
@item Ada.Characters.Handling (A.3.2)
This package provides some basic character handling capabilities,
including classification functions for classes of characters (e.g.@: test
for letters, or digits).
 
@item Ada.Characters.Latin_1 (A.3.3)
This package includes a complete set of definitions of the characters
that appear in type CHARACTER@.  It is useful for writing programs that
will run in international environments.  For example, if you want an
upper case E with an acute accent in a string, it is often better to use
the definition of @code{UC_E_Acute} in this package.  Then your program
will print in an understandable manner even if your environment does not
support these extended characters.
 
@item Ada.Command_Line (A.15)
This package provides access to the command line parameters and the name
of the current program (analogous to the use of @code{argc} and @code{argv}
in C), and also allows the exit status for the program to be set in a
system-independent manner.
 
@item Ada.Decimal (F.2)
This package provides constants describing the range of decimal numbers
implemented, and also a decimal divide routine (analogous to the COBOL
verb DIVIDE @dots{} GIVING @dots{} REMAINDER @dots{})
 
@item Ada.Direct_IO (A.8.4)
This package provides input-output using a model of a set of records of
fixed-length, containing an arbitrary definite Ada type, indexed by an
integer record number.
 
@item Ada.Dynamic_Priorities (D.5)
This package allows the priorities of a task to be adjusted dynamically
as the task is running.
 
@item Ada.Exceptions (11.4.1)
This package provides additional information on exceptions, and also
contains facilities for treating exceptions as data objects, and raising
exceptions with associated messages.
 
@item Ada.Finalization (7.6)
This package contains the declarations and subprograms to support the
use of controlled types, providing for automatic initialization and
finalization (analogous to the constructors and destructors of C++)
 
@item Ada.Interrupts (C.3.2)
This package provides facilities for interfacing to interrupts, which
includes the set of signals or conditions that can be raised and
recognized as interrupts.
 
@item Ada.Interrupts.Names (C.3.2)
This package provides the set of interrupt names (actually signal
or condition names) that can be handled by GNAT@.
 
@item Ada.IO_Exceptions (A.13)
This package defines the set of exceptions that can be raised by use of
the standard IO packages.
 
@item Ada.Numerics
This package contains some standard constants and exceptions used
throughout the numerics packages.  Note that the constants pi and e are
defined here, and it is better to use these definitions than rolling
your own.
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Complex_Elementary_Functions
Provides the implementation of standard elementary functions (such as
log and trigonometric functions) operating on complex numbers using the
standard @code{Float} and the @code{Complex} and @code{Imaginary} types
created by the package @code{Numerics.Complex_Types}.
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Complex_Types
This is a predefined instantiation of
@code{Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types} using @code{Standard.Float} to
build the type @code{Complex} and @code{Imaginary}.
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Discrete_Random
This generic package provides a random number generator suitable for generating
uniformly distributed values of a specified discrete subtype.
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Float_Random
This package provides a random number generator suitable for generating
uniformly distributed floating point values in the unit interval.
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Complex_Elementary_Functions
This is a generic version of the package that provides the
implementation of standard elementary functions (such as log and
trigonometric functions) for an arbitrary complex type.
 
The following predefined instantiations of this package are provided:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Complex_Elementary_Functions}
@item Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Complex_Elementary_Functions}
@item Long_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Long_Complex_Elementary_Functions}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Complex_Types
This is a generic package that allows the creation of complex types,
with associated complex arithmetic operations.
 
The following predefined instantiations of this package exist
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Complex_Complex_Types}
@item Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Complex_Complex_Types}
@item Long_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Long_Complex_Complex_Types}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Numerics.Generic_Elementary_Functions
This is a generic package that provides the implementation of standard
elementary functions (such as log an trigonometric functions) for an
arbitrary float type.
 
The following predefined instantiations of this package exist
 
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Short_Elementary_Functions}
@item Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Elementary_Functions}
@item Long_Float
@code{Ada.Numerics.Long_Elementary_Functions}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Real_Time (D.8)
This package provides facilities similar to those of @code{Calendar}, but
operating with a finer clock suitable for real time control. Note that
annex D requires that there be no backward clock jumps, and GNAT generally
guarantees this behavior, but of course if the external clock on which
the GNAT runtime depends is deliberately reset by some external event,
then such a backward jump may occur.
 
@item Ada.Sequential_IO (A.8.1)
This package provides input-output facilities for sequential files,
which can contain a sequence of values of a single type, which can be
any Ada type, including indefinite (unconstrained) types.
 
@item Ada.Storage_IO (A.9)
This package provides a facility for mapping arbitrary Ada types to and
from a storage buffer.  It is primarily intended for the creation of new
IO packages.
 
@item Ada.Streams (13.13.1)
This is a generic package that provides the basic support for the
concept of streams as used by the stream attributes (@code{Input},
@code{Output}, @code{Read} and @code{Write}).
 
@item Ada.Streams.Stream_IO (A.12.1)
This package is a specialization of the type @code{Streams} defined in
package @code{Streams} together with a set of operations providing
Stream_IO capability.  The Stream_IO model permits both random and
sequential access to a file which can contain an arbitrary set of values
of one or more Ada types.
 
@item Ada.Strings (A.4.1)
This package provides some basic constants used by the string handling
packages.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Bounded (A.4.4)
This package provides facilities for handling variable length
strings.  The bounded model requires a maximum length.  It is thus
somewhat more limited than the unbounded model, but avoids the use of
dynamic allocation or finalization.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Fixed (A.4.3)
This package provides facilities for handling fixed length strings.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Maps (A.4.2)
This package provides facilities for handling character mappings and
arbitrarily defined subsets of characters.  For instance it is useful in
defining specialized translation tables.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Maps.Constants (A.4.6)
This package provides a standard set of predefined mappings and
predefined character sets.  For example, the standard upper to lower case
conversion table is found in this package.  Note that upper to lower case
conversion is non-trivial if you want to take the entire set of
characters, including extended characters like E with an acute accent,
into account.  You should use the mappings in this package (rather than
adding 32 yourself) to do case mappings.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Unbounded (A.4.5)
This package provides facilities for handling variable length
strings.  The unbounded model allows arbitrary length strings, but
requires the use of dynamic allocation and finalization.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Wide_Bounded (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Fixed (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Maps (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Maps.Constants (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded (A.4.7)
These packages provide analogous capabilities to the corresponding
packages without @samp{Wide_} in the name, but operate with the types
@code{Wide_String} and @code{Wide_Character} instead of @code{String}
and @code{Character}.
 
@item Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Bounded (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Fixed (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Maps (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Maps.Constants (A.4.7)
@itemx Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded (A.4.7)
These packages provide analogous capabilities to the corresponding
packages without @samp{Wide_} in the name, but operate with the types
@code{Wide_Wide_String} and @code{Wide_Wide_Character} instead
of @code{String} and @code{Character}.
 
@item Ada.Synchronous_Task_Control (D.10)
This package provides some standard facilities for controlling task
communication in a synchronous manner.
 
@item Ada.Tags
This package contains definitions for manipulation of the tags of tagged
values.
 
@item Ada.Task_Attributes
This package provides the capability of associating arbitrary
task-specific data with separate tasks.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO
This package provides basic text input-output capabilities for
character, string and numeric data.  The subpackages of this
package are listed next.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Decimal_IO
Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Fixed_IO
Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Float_IO
Provides input-output facilities for float types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Short_Float_Text_IO}
@item Float
@code{Float_Text_IO}
@item Long_Float
@code{Long_Float_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Integer_IO
Provides input-output facilities for integer types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Text_IO}
@item Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Integer_Text_IO}
@item Integer
@code{Ada.Integer_Text_IO}
@item Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Integer_Text_IO}
@item Long_Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Modular_IO
Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
This package provides basic text input-output capabilities for complex
data.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Editing (F.3.3)
This package contains routines for edited output, analogous to the use
of pictures in COBOL@.  The picture formats used by this package are a
close copy of the facility in COBOL@.
 
@item Ada.Text_IO.Text_Streams (A.12.2)
This package provides a facility that allows Text_IO files to be treated
as streams, so that the stream attributes can be used for writing
arbitrary data, including binary data, to Text_IO files.
 
@item Ada.Unchecked_Conversion (13.9)
This generic package allows arbitrary conversion from one type to
another of the same size, providing for breaking the type safety in
special circumstances.
 
If the types have the same Size (more accurately the same Value_Size),
then the effect is simply to transfer the bits from the source to the
target type without any modification.  This usage is well defined, and
for simple types whose representation is typically the same across
all implementations, gives a portable method of performing such
conversions.
 
If the types do not have the same size, then the result is implementation
defined, and thus may be non-portable.  The following describes how GNAT
handles such unchecked conversion cases.
 
If the types are of different sizes, and are both discrete types, then
the effect is of a normal type conversion without any constraint checking.
In particular if the result type has a larger size, the result will be
zero or sign extended.  If the result type has a smaller size, the result
will be truncated by ignoring high order bits.
 
If the types are of different sizes, and are not both discrete types,
then the conversion works as though pointers were created to the source
and target, and the pointer value is converted.  The effect is that bits
are copied from successive low order storage units and bits of the source
up to the length of the target type.
 
A warning is issued if the lengths differ, since the effect in this
case is implementation dependent, and the above behavior may not match
that of some other compiler.
 
A pointer to one type may be converted to a pointer to another type using
unchecked conversion.  The only case in which the effect is undefined is
when one or both pointers are pointers to unconstrained array types.  In
this case, the bounds information may get incorrectly transferred, and in
particular, GNAT uses double size pointers for such types, and it is
meaningless to convert between such pointer types.  GNAT will issue a
warning if the alignment of the target designated type is more strict
than the alignment of the source designated type (since the result may
be unaligned in this case).
 
A pointer other than a pointer to an unconstrained array type may be
converted to and from System.Address.  Such usage is common in Ada 83
programs, but note that Ada.Address_To_Access_Conversions is the
preferred method of performing such conversions in Ada 95 and Ada 2005.
Neither
unchecked conversion nor Ada.Address_To_Access_Conversions should be
used in conjunction with pointers to unconstrained objects, since
the bounds information cannot be handled correctly in this case.
 
@item Ada.Unchecked_Deallocation (13.11.2)
This generic package allows explicit freeing of storage previously
allocated by use of an allocator.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO (A.11)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO}, except that the external
file supports wide character representations, and the internal types are
@code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of @code{Character}
and @code{String}.  It contains generic subpackages listed next.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Decimal_IO
Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Fixed_IO
Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Float_IO
Provides input-output facilities for float types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Short_Float_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Float
@code{Float_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Float
@code{Long_Float_Wide_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Integer_IO
Provides input-output facilities for integer types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Integer
@code{Ada.Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Wide_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Modular_IO
Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO}, except that the
external file supports wide character representations.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Editing (F.3.4)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Editing}, except that the
types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
@code{Character} and @code{String}.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Streams (A.12.3)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Streams}, except that the
types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
@code{Character} and @code{String}.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (A.11)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO}, except that the external
file supports wide character representations, and the internal types are
@code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of @code{Character}
and @code{String}.  It contains generic subpackages listed next.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Decimal_IO
Provides input-output facilities for decimal fixed-point types
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Enumeration_IO
Provides input-output facilities for enumeration types.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Fixed_IO
Provides input-output facilities for ordinary fixed-point types.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Float_IO
Provides input-output facilities for float types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Float
@code{Short_Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Float
@code{Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Float
@code{Long_Float_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Integer_IO
Provides input-output facilities for integer types.  The following
predefined instantiations of this generic package are available:
 
@table @code
@item Short_Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Short_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Short_Integer
@code{Ada.Short_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Integer
@code{Ada.Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@item Long_Long_Integer
@code{Ada.Long_Long_Integer_Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
@end table
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Modular_IO
Provides input-output facilities for modular (unsigned) types
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO (G.1.3)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO}, except that the
external file supports wide character representations.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Editing (F.3.4)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Editing}, except that the
types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
@code{Character} and @code{String}.
 
@item Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Streams (A.12.3)
This package is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO.Streams}, except that the
types are @code{Wide_Character} and @code{Wide_String} instead of
@code{Character} and @code{String}.
@end table
 
@node The Implementation of Standard I/O
@chapter The Implementation of Standard I/O
 
@noindent
GNAT implements all the required input-output facilities described in
A.6 through A.14.  These sections of the Ada Reference Manual describe the
required behavior of these packages from the Ada point of view, and if
you are writing a portable Ada program that does not need to know the
exact manner in which Ada maps to the outside world when it comes to
reading or writing external files, then you do not need to read this
chapter.  As long as your files are all regular files (not pipes or
devices), and as long as you write and read the files only from Ada, the
description in the Ada Reference Manual is sufficient.
 
However, if you want to do input-output to pipes or other devices, such
as the keyboard or screen, or if the files you are dealing with are
either generated by some other language, or to be read by some other
language, then you need to know more about the details of how the GNAT
implementation of these input-output facilities behaves.
 
In this chapter we give a detailed description of exactly how GNAT
interfaces to the file system.  As always, the sources of the system are
available to you for answering questions at an even more detailed level,
but for most purposes the information in this chapter will suffice.
 
Another reason that you may need to know more about how input-output is
implemented arises when you have a program written in mixed languages
where, for example, files are shared between the C and Ada sections of
the same program.  GNAT provides some additional facilities, in the form
of additional child library packages, that facilitate this sharing, and
these additional facilities are also described in this chapter.
 
@menu
* Standard I/O Packages::
* FORM Strings::
* Direct_IO::
* Sequential_IO::
* Text_IO::
* Wide_Text_IO::
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO::
* Stream_IO::
* Text Translation::
* Shared Files::
* Filenames encoding::
* Open Modes::
* Operations on C Streams::
* Interfacing to C Streams::
@end menu
 
@node Standard I/O Packages
@section Standard I/O Packages
 
@noindent
The Standard I/O packages described in Annex A for
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
Ada.Text_IO
@item
Ada.Text_IO.Complex_IO
@item
Ada.Text_IO.Text_Streams
@item
Ada.Wide_Text_IO
@item
Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO
@item
Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Text_Streams
@item
Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO
@item
Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Complex_IO
@item
Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Text_Streams
@item
Ada.Stream_IO
@item
Ada.Sequential_IO
@item
Ada.Direct_IO
@end itemize
 
@noindent
are implemented using the C
library streams facility; where
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
All files are opened using @code{fopen}.
@item
All input/output operations use @code{fread}/@code{fwrite}.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
There is no internal buffering of any kind at the Ada library level. The only
buffering is that provided at the system level in the implementation of the
library routines that support streams. This facilitates shared use of these
streams by mixed language programs. Note though that system level buffering is
explicitly enabled at elaboration of the standard I/O packages and that can
have an impact on mixed language programs, in particular those using I/O before
calling the Ada elaboration routine (e.g.@: adainit). It is recommended to call
the Ada elaboration routine before performing any I/O or when impractical,
flush the common I/O streams and in particular Standard_Output before
elaborating the Ada code.
 
@node FORM Strings
@section FORM Strings
 
@noindent
The format of a FORM string in GNAT is:
 
@smallexample
"keyword=value,keyword=value,@dots{},keyword=value"
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where letters may be in upper or lower case, and there are no spaces
between values.  The order of the entries is not important.  Currently
the following keywords defined.
 
@smallexample
TEXT_TRANSLATION=[YES|NO]
SHARED=[YES|NO]
WCEM=[n|h|u|s|e|8|b]
ENCODING=[UTF8|8BITS]
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The use of these parameters is described later in this section.
 
@node Direct_IO
@section Direct_IO
 
@noindent
Direct_IO can only be instantiated for definite types.  This is a
restriction of the Ada language, which means that the records are fixed
length (the length being determined by @code{@var{type}'Size}, rounded
up to the next storage unit boundary if necessary).
 
The records of a Direct_IO file are simply written to the file in index
sequence, with the first record starting at offset zero, and subsequent
records following.  There is no control information of any kind.  For
example, if 32-bit integers are being written, each record takes
4-bytes, so the record at index @var{K} starts at offset
(@var{K}@minus{}1)*4.
 
There is no limit on the size of Direct_IO files, they are expanded as
necessary to accommodate whatever records are written to the file.
 
@node Sequential_IO
@section Sequential_IO
 
@noindent
Sequential_IO may be instantiated with either a definite (constrained)
or indefinite (unconstrained) type.
 
For the definite type case, the elements written to the file are simply
the memory images of the data values with no control information of any
kind.  The resulting file should be read using the same type, no validity
checking is performed on input.
 
For the indefinite type case, the elements written consist of two
parts.  First is the size of the data item, written as the memory image
of a @code{Interfaces.C.size_t} value, followed by the memory image of
the data value.  The resulting file can only be read using the same
(unconstrained) type.  Normal assignment checks are performed on these
read operations, and if these checks fail, @code{Data_Error} is
raised.  In particular, in the array case, the lengths must match, and in
the variant record case, if the variable for a particular read operation
is constrained, the discriminants must match.
 
Note that it is not possible to use Sequential_IO to write variable
length array items, and then read the data back into different length
arrays.  For example, the following will raise @code{Data_Error}:
 
@smallexample @c ada
 package IO is new Sequential_IO (String);
 F : IO.File_Type;
 S : String (1..4);
 @dots{}
 IO.Create (F)
 IO.Write (F, "hello!")
 IO.Reset (F, Mode=>In_File);
 IO.Read (F, S);
 Put_Line (S);
 
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
On some Ada implementations, this will print @code{hell}, but the program is
clearly incorrect, since there is only one element in the file, and that
element is the string @code{hello!}.
 
In Ada 95 and Ada 2005, this kind of behavior can be legitimately achieved
using Stream_IO, and this is the preferred mechanism.  In particular, the
above program fragment rewritten to use Stream_IO will work correctly.
 
@node Text_IO
@section Text_IO
 
@noindent
Text_IO files consist of a stream of characters containing the following
special control characters:
 
@smallexample
LF (line feed, 16#0A#) Line Mark
FF (form feed, 16#0C#) Page Mark
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
A canonical Text_IO file is defined as one in which the following
conditions are met:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The character @code{LF} is used only as a line mark, i.e.@: to mark the end
of the line.
 
@item
The character @code{FF} is used only as a page mark, i.e.@: to mark the
end of a page and consequently can appear only immediately following a
@code{LF} (line mark) character.
 
@item
The file ends with either @code{LF} (line mark) or @code{LF}-@code{FF}
(line mark, page mark).  In the former case, the page mark is implicitly
assumed to be present.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
A file written using Text_IO will be in canonical form provided that no
explicit @code{LF} or @code{FF} characters are written using @code{Put}
or @code{Put_Line}.  There will be no @code{FF} character at the end of
the file unless an explicit @code{New_Page} operation was performed
before closing the file.
 
A canonical Text_IO file that is a regular file (i.e., not a device or a
pipe) can be read using any of the routines in Text_IO@.  The
semantics in this case will be exactly as defined in the Ada Reference
Manual, and all the routines in Text_IO are fully implemented.
 
A text file that does not meet the requirements for a canonical Text_IO
file has one of the following:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The file contains @code{FF} characters not immediately following a
@code{LF} character.
 
@item
The file contains @code{LF} or @code{FF} characters written by
@code{Put} or @code{Put_Line}, which are not logically considered to be
line marks or page marks.
 
@item
The file ends in a character other than @code{LF} or @code{FF},
i.e.@: there is no explicit line mark or page mark at the end of the file.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Text_IO can be used to read such non-standard text files but subprograms
to do with line or page numbers do not have defined meanings.  In
particular, a @code{FF} character that does not follow a @code{LF}
character may or may not be treated as a page mark from the point of
view of page and line numbering.  Every @code{LF} character is considered
to end a line, and there is an implied @code{LF} character at the end of
the file.
 
@menu
* Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
* Get_Immediate::
* Treating Text_IO Files as Streams::
* Text_IO Extensions::
* Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings::
@end menu
 
@node Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
@subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
 
@noindent
@code{Ada.Text_IO} has a definition of current position for a file that
is being read.  No internal buffering occurs in Text_IO, and usually the
physical position in the stream used to implement the file corresponds
to this logical position defined by Text_IO@.  There are two exceptions:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
After a call to @code{End_Of_Page} that returns @code{True}, the stream
is positioned past the @code{LF} (line mark) that precedes the page
mark.  Text_IO maintains an internal flag so that subsequent read
operations properly handle the logical position which is unchanged by
the @code{End_Of_Page} call.
 
@item
After a call to @code{End_Of_File} that returns @code{True}, if the
Text_IO file was positioned before the line mark at the end of file
before the call, then the logical position is unchanged, but the stream
is physically positioned right at the end of file (past the line mark,
and past a possible page mark following the line mark.  Again Text_IO
maintains internal flags so that subsequent read operations properly
handle the logical position.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
These discrepancies have no effect on the observable behavior of
Text_IO, but if a single Ada stream is shared between a C program and
Ada program, or shared (using @samp{shared=yes} in the form string)
between two Ada files, then the difference may be observable in some
situations.
 
@node Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
@subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
 
@noindent
A non-regular file is a device (such as a keyboard), or a pipe.  Text_IO
can be used for reading and writing.  Writing is not affected and the
sequence of characters output is identical to the normal file case, but
for reading, the behavior of Text_IO is modified to avoid undesirable
look-ahead as follows:
 
An input file that is not a regular file is considered to have no page
marks.  Any @code{Ascii.FF} characters (the character normally used for a
page mark) appearing in the file are considered to be data
characters.  In particular:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{Get_Line} and @code{Skip_Line} do not test for a page mark
following a line mark.  If a page mark appears, it will be treated as a
data character.
 
@item
This avoids the need to wait for an extra character to be typed or
entered from the pipe to complete one of these operations.
 
@item
@code{End_Of_Page} always returns @code{False}
 
@item
@code{End_Of_File} will return @code{False} if there is a page mark at
the end of the file.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Output to non-regular files is the same as for regular files.  Page marks
may be written to non-regular files using @code{New_Page}, but as noted
above they will not be treated as page marks on input if the output is
piped to another Ada program.
 
Another important discrepancy when reading non-regular files is that the end
of file indication is not ``sticky''.  If an end of file is entered, e.g.@: by
pressing the @key{EOT} key,
then end of file
is signaled once (i.e.@: the test @code{End_Of_File}
will yield @code{True}, or a read will
raise @code{End_Error}), but then reading can resume
to read data past that end of
file indication, until another end of file indication is entered.
 
@node Get_Immediate
@subsection Get_Immediate
@cindex Get_Immediate
 
@noindent
Get_Immediate returns the next character (including control characters)
from the input file.  In particular, Get_Immediate will return LF or FF
characters used as line marks or page marks.  Such operations leave the
file positioned past the control character, and it is thus not treated
as having its normal function.  This means that page, line and column
counts after this kind of Get_Immediate call are set as though the mark
did not occur.  In the case where a Get_Immediate leaves the file
positioned between the line mark and page mark (which is not normally
possible), it is undefined whether the FF character will be treated as a
page mark.
 
@node Treating Text_IO Files as Streams
@subsection Treating Text_IO Files as Streams
@cindex Stream files
 
@noindent
The package @code{Text_IO.Streams} allows a Text_IO file to be treated
as a stream.  Data written to a Text_IO file in this stream mode is
binary data.  If this binary data contains bytes 16#0A# (@code{LF}) or
16#0C# (@code{FF}), the resulting file may have non-standard
format.  Similarly if read operations are used to read from a Text_IO
file treated as a stream, then @code{LF} and @code{FF} characters may be
skipped and the effect is similar to that described above for
@code{Get_Immediate}.
 
@node Text_IO Extensions
@subsection Text_IO Extensions
@cindex Text_IO extensions
 
@noindent
A package GNAT.IO_Aux in the GNAT library provides some useful extensions
to the standard @code{Text_IO} package:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item function File_Exists (Name : String) return Boolean;
Determines if a file of the given name exists.
 
@item function Get_Line return String;
Reads a string from the standard input file.  The value returned is exactly
the length of the line that was read.
 
@item function Get_Line (File : Ada.Text_IO.File_Type) return String;
Similar, except that the parameter File specifies the file from which
the string is to be read.
 
@end itemize
 
@node Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings
@subsection Text_IO Facilities for Unbounded Strings
@cindex Text_IO for unbounded strings
@cindex Unbounded_String, Text_IO operations
 
@noindent
The package @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO}
in library files @code{a-suteio.ads/adb} contains some GNAT-specific
subprograms useful for Text_IO operations on unbounded strings:
 
@itemize @bullet
 
@item function Get_Line (File : File_Type) return Unbounded_String;
Reads a line from the specified file
and returns the result as an unbounded string.
 
@item procedure Put (File : File_Type; U : Unbounded_String);
Writes the value of the given unbounded string to the specified file
Similar to the effect of
@code{Put (To_String (U))} except that an extra copy is avoided.
 
@item procedure Put_Line (File : File_Type; U : Unbounded_String);
Writes the value of the given unbounded string to the specified file,
followed by a @code{New_Line}.
Similar to the effect of @code{Put_Line (To_String (U))} except
that an extra copy is avoided.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
In the above procedures, @code{File} is of type @code{Ada.Text_IO.File_Type}
and is optional.  If the parameter is omitted, then the standard input or
output file is referenced as appropriate.
 
The package @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} in library
files @file{a-swuwti.ads} and @file{a-swuwti.adb} provides similar extended
@code{Wide_Text_IO} functionality for unbounded wide strings.
 
The package @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} in library
files @file{a-szuzti.ads} and @file{a-szuzti.adb} provides similar extended
@code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} functionality for unbounded wide wide strings.
 
@node Wide_Text_IO
@section Wide_Text_IO
 
@noindent
@code{Wide_Text_IO} is similar in most respects to Text_IO, except that
both input and output files may contain special sequences that represent
wide character values.  The encoding scheme for a given file may be
specified using a FORM parameter:
 
@smallexample
WCEM=@var{x}
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
as part of the FORM string (WCEM = wide character encoding method),
where @var{x} is one of the following characters
 
@table @samp
@item h
Hex ESC encoding
@item u
Upper half encoding
@item s
Shift-JIS encoding
@item e
EUC Encoding
@item 8
UTF-8 encoding
@item b
Brackets encoding
@end table
 
@noindent
The encoding methods match those that
can be used in a source
program, but there is no requirement that the encoding method used for
the source program be the same as the encoding method used for files,
and different files may use different encoding methods.
 
The default encoding method for the standard files, and for opened files
for which no WCEM parameter is given in the FORM string matches the
wide character encoding specified for the main program (the default
being brackets encoding if no coding method was specified with -gnatW).
 
@table @asis
@item Hex Coding
In this encoding, a wide character is represented by a five character
sequence:
 
@smallexample
ESC a b c d
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where @var{a}, @var{b}, @var{c}, @var{d} are the four hexadecimal
characters (using upper case letters) of the wide character code.  For
example, ESC A345 is used to represent the wide character with code
16#A345#.  This scheme is compatible with use of the full
@code{Wide_Character} set.
 
@item Upper Half Coding
The wide character with encoding 16#abcd#, where the upper bit is on
(i.e.@: a is in the range 8-F) is represented as two bytes 16#ab# and
16#cd#.  The second byte may never 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
A wide character is represented by a two character sequence 16#ab# and
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
A wide character is represented by a two character sequence 16#ab# and
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
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 @var{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 raise a Constraint_Error, as
will all invalid UTF-8 sequences.)
 
@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, @code{["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.
On input, brackets coding can also be used for upper half characters,
e.g.@: @code{["C1"]} for lower case a.  However, on output, brackets notation
is only used for wide characters with a code greater than @code{16#FF#}.
 
Note that brackets coding is not normally used in the context of
Wide_Text_IO or Wide_Wide_Text_IO, since it is really just designed as
a portable way of encoding source files. In the context of Wide_Text_IO
or Wide_Wide_Text_IO, it can only be used if the file does not contain
any instance of the left bracket character other than to encode wide
character values using the brackets encoding method. In practice it is
expected that some standard wide character encoding method such
as UTF-8 will be used for text input output.
 
If brackets notation is used, then any occurrence of a left bracket
in the input file which is not the start of a valid wide character
sequence will cause Constraint_Error to be raised. It is possible to
encode a left bracket as ["5B"] and Wide_Text_IO and Wide_Wide_Text_IO
input will interpret this as a left bracket.
 
However, when a left bracket is output, it will be output as a left bracket
and not as ["5B"]. We make this decision because for normal use of
Wide_Text_IO for outputting messages, it is unpleasant to clobber left
brackets. For example, if we write:
 
@smallexample
   Put_Line ("Start of output [first run]");
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
we really do not want to have the left bracket in this message clobbered so
that the output reads:
 
@smallexample
   Start of output ["5B"]first run]
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In practice brackets encoding is reasonably useful for normal Put_Line use
since we won't get confused between left brackets and wide character
sequences in the output. But for input, or when files are written out
and read back in, it really makes better sense to use one of the standard
encoding methods such as UTF-8.
 
@end table
 
@noindent
For the coding schemes other than UTF-8, Hex, or Brackets encoding,
not all wide character
values can be represented.  An attempt to output a character that cannot
be represented using the encoding scheme for the file causes
Constraint_Error to be raised.  An invalid wide character sequence on
input also causes Constraint_Error to be raised.
 
@menu
* Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
@end menu
 
@node Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
@subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
 
@noindent
@code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO} is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO} in its handling
of stream pointer positioning (@pxref{Text_IO}).  There is one additional
case:
 
If @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Look_Ahead} reads a character outside the
normal lower ASCII set (i.e.@: a character in the range:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Wide_Character'Val (16#0080#) .. Wide_Character'Val (16#FFFF#)
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then although the logical position of the file pointer is unchanged by
the @code{Look_Ahead} call, the stream is physically positioned past the
wide character sequence.  Again this is to avoid the need for buffering
or backup, and all @code{Wide_Text_IO} routines check the internal
indication that this situation has occurred so that this is not visible
to a normal program using @code{Wide_Text_IO}.  However, this discrepancy
can be observed if the wide text file shares a stream with another file.
 
@node Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
@subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
 
@noindent
As in the case of Text_IO, when a non-regular file is read, it is
assumed that the file contains no page marks (any form characters are
treated as data characters), and @code{End_Of_Page} always returns
@code{False}.  Similarly, the end of file indication is not sticky, so
it is possible to read beyond an end of file.
 
@node Wide_Wide_Text_IO
@section Wide_Wide_Text_IO
 
@noindent
@code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} is similar in most respects to Text_IO, except that
both input and output files may contain special sequences that represent
wide wide character values.  The encoding scheme for a given file may be
specified using a FORM parameter:
 
@smallexample
WCEM=@var{x}
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
as part of the FORM string (WCEM = wide character encoding method),
where @var{x} is one of the following characters
 
@table @samp
@item h
Hex ESC encoding
@item u
Upper half encoding
@item s
Shift-JIS encoding
@item e
EUC Encoding
@item 8
UTF-8 encoding
@item b
Brackets encoding
@end table
 
@noindent
The encoding methods match those that
can be used in a source
program, but there is no requirement that the encoding method used for
the source program be the same as the encoding method used for files,
and different files may use different encoding methods.
 
The default encoding method for the standard files, and for opened files
for which no WCEM parameter is given in the FORM string matches the
wide character encoding specified for the main program (the default
being brackets encoding if no coding method was specified with -gnatW).
 
@table @asis
 
@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, three, or four byte sequence:
 
@smallexample
16#000000#-16#00007f#: 2#0xxxxxxx#
16#000080#-16#0007ff#: 2#110xxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
16#000800#-16#00ffff#: 2#1110xxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
16#010000#-16#10ffff#: 2#11110xxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx# 2#10xxxxxx#
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where the @var{xxx} bits correspond to the left-padded bits of the
21-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
characters.
 
@item Brackets Coding
In this encoding, a wide wide character is represented by the following eight
character sequence if is in wide character range
 
@smallexample
[ " a b c d " ]
@end smallexample
 
and by the following ten character sequence if not
 
@smallexample
[ " a b c d e f " ]
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
where @code{a}, @code{b}, @code{c}, @code{d}, @code{e}, and @code{f}
are the four or six hexadecimal
characters (using uppercase letters) of the wide wide character code.  For
example, @code{["01A345"]} is used to represent the wide wide character
with code @code{16#01A345#}.
 
This scheme is compatible with use of the full Wide_Wide_Character set.
On input, brackets coding can also be used for upper half characters,
e.g.@: @code{["C1"]} for lower case a.  However, on output, brackets notation
is only used for wide characters with a code greater than @code{16#FF#}.
 
@end table
 
@noindent
If is also possible to use the other Wide_Character encoding methods,
such as Shift-JIS, but the other schemes cannot support the full range
of wide wide characters.
An attempt to output a character that cannot
be represented using the encoding scheme for the file causes
Constraint_Error to be raised.  An invalid wide character sequence on
input also causes Constraint_Error to be raised.
 
@menu
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning::
* Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files::
@end menu
 
@node Wide_Wide_Text_IO Stream Pointer Positioning
@subsection Stream Pointer Positioning
 
@noindent
@code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} is similar to @code{Ada.Text_IO} in its handling
of stream pointer positioning (@pxref{Text_IO}).  There is one additional
case:
 
If @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Look_Ahead} reads a character outside the
normal lower ASCII set (i.e.@: a character in the range:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Wide_Wide_Character'Val (16#0080#) .. Wide_Wide_Character'Val (16#10FFFF#)
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
then although the logical position of the file pointer is unchanged by
the @code{Look_Ahead} call, the stream is physically positioned past the
wide character sequence.  Again this is to avoid the need for buffering
or backup, and all @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} routines check the internal
indication that this situation has occurred so that this is not visible
to a normal program using @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}.  However, this discrepancy
can be observed if the wide text file shares a stream with another file.
 
@node Wide_Wide_Text_IO Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
@subsection Reading and Writing Non-Regular Files
 
@noindent
As in the case of Text_IO, when a non-regular file is read, it is
assumed that the file contains no page marks (any form characters are
treated as data characters), and @code{End_Of_Page} always returns
@code{False}.  Similarly, the end of file indication is not sticky, so
it is possible to read beyond an end of file.
 
@node Stream_IO
@section Stream_IO
 
@noindent
A stream file is a sequence of bytes, where individual elements are
written to the file as described in the Ada Reference Manual.  The type
@code{Stream_Element} is simply a byte.  There are two ways to read or
write a stream file.
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The operations @code{Read} and @code{Write} directly read or write a
sequence of stream elements with no control information.
 
@item
The stream attributes applied to a stream file transfer data in the
manner described for stream attributes.
@end itemize
 
@node Text Translation
@section Text Translation
 
@noindent
@samp{Text_Translation=@var{xxx}} may be used as the Form parameter
passed to Text_IO.Create and Text_IO.Open:
@samp{Text_Translation=@var{Yes}} is the default, which means to
translate LF to/from CR/LF on Windows systems.
@samp{Text_Translation=@var{No}} disables this translation; i.e. it
uses binary mode. For output files, @samp{Text_Translation=@var{No}}
may be used to create Unix-style files on
Windows. @samp{Text_Translation=@var{xxx}} has no effect on Unix
systems.
 
@node Shared Files
@section Shared Files
 
@noindent
Section A.14 of the Ada Reference Manual allows implementations to
provide a wide variety of behavior if an attempt is made to access the
same external file with two or more internal files.
 
To provide a full range of functionality, while at the same time
minimizing the problems of portability caused by this implementation
dependence, GNAT handles file sharing as follows:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
In the absence of a @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} form parameter, an attempt
to open two or more files with the same full name is considered an error
and is not supported.  The exception @code{Use_Error} will be
raised.  Note that a file that is not explicitly closed by the program
remains open until the program terminates.
 
@item
If the form parameter @samp{shared=no} appears in the form string, the
file can be opened or created with its own separate stream identifier,
regardless of whether other files sharing the same external file are
opened.  The exact effect depends on how the C stream routines handle
multiple accesses to the same external files using separate streams.
 
@item
If the form parameter @samp{shared=yes} appears in the form string for
each of two or more files opened using the same full name, the same
stream is shared between these files, and the semantics are as described
in Ada Reference Manual, Section A.14.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
When a program that opens multiple files with the same name is ported
from another Ada compiler to GNAT, the effect will be that
@code{Use_Error} is raised.
 
The documentation of the original compiler and the documentation of the
program should then be examined to determine if file sharing was
expected, and @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} parameters added to @code{Open}
and @code{Create} calls as required.
 
When a program is ported from GNAT to some other Ada compiler, no
special attention is required unless the @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} form
parameter is used in the program.  In this case, you must examine the
documentation of the new compiler to see if it supports the required
file sharing semantics, and form strings modified appropriately.  Of
course it may be the case that the program cannot be ported if the
target compiler does not support the required functionality.  The best
approach in writing portable code is to avoid file sharing (and hence
the use of the @samp{shared=@var{xxx}} parameter in the form string)
completely.
 
One common use of file sharing in Ada 83 is the use of instantiations of
Sequential_IO on the same file with different types, to achieve
heterogeneous input-output.  Although this approach will work in GNAT if
@samp{shared=yes} is specified, it is preferable in Ada to use Stream_IO
for this purpose (using the stream attributes)
 
@node Filenames encoding
@section Filenames encoding
 
@noindent
An encoding form parameter can be used to specify the filename
encoding @samp{encoding=@var{xxx}}.
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
If the form parameter @samp{encoding=utf8} appears in the form string, the
filename must be encoded in UTF-8.
 
@item
If the form parameter @samp{encoding=8bits} appears in the form
string, the filename must be a standard 8bits string.
@end itemize
 
In the absence of a @samp{encoding=@var{xxx}} form parameter, the
encoding is controlled by the @samp{GNAT_CODE_PAGE} environment
variable. And if not set @samp{utf8} is assumed.
 
@table @samp
@item CP_ACP
The current system Windows ANSI code page.
@item CP_UTF8
UTF-8 encoding
@end table
 
This encoding form parameter is only supported on the Windows
platform. On the other Operating Systems the run-time is supporting
UTF-8 natively.
 
@node Open Modes
@section Open Modes
 
@noindent
@code{Open} and @code{Create} calls result in a call to @code{fopen}
using the mode shown in the following table:
 
@sp 2
@center @code{Open} and @code{Create} Call Modes
@smallexample
                               @b{OPEN }           @b{CREATE}
Append_File                    "r+"             "w+"
In_File                        "r"              "w+"
Out_File (Direct_IO)           "r+"             "w"
Out_File (all other cases)     "w"              "w"
Inout_File                     "r+"             "w+"
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
If text file translation is required, then either @samp{b} or @samp{t}
is added to the mode, depending on the setting of Text.  Text file
translation refers to the mapping of CR/LF sequences in an external file
to LF characters internally.  This mapping only occurs in DOS and
DOS-like systems, and is not relevant to other systems.
 
A special case occurs with Stream_IO@.  As shown in the above table, the
file is initially opened in @samp{r} or @samp{w} mode for the
@code{In_File} and @code{Out_File} cases.  If a @code{Set_Mode} operation
subsequently requires switching from reading to writing or vice-versa,
then the file is reopened in @samp{r+} mode to permit the required operation.
 
@node Operations on C Streams
@section Operations on C Streams
The package @code{Interfaces.C_Streams} provides an Ada program with direct
access to the C library functions for operations on C streams:
 
@smallexample @c adanocomment
package Interfaces.C_Streams is
  -- Note: the reason we do not use the types that are in
  -- Interfaces.C is that we want to avoid dragging in the
  -- code in this unit if possible.
  subtype chars is System.Address;
  -- Pointer to null-terminated array of characters
  subtype FILEs is System.Address;
  -- Corresponds to the C type FILE*
  subtype voids is System.Address;
  -- Corresponds to the C type void*
  subtype int is Integer;
  subtype long is Long_Integer;
  -- Note: the above types are subtypes deliberately, and it
  -- is part of this spec that the above correspondences are
  -- guaranteed.  This means that it is legitimate to, for
  -- example, use Integer instead of int.  We provide these
  -- synonyms for clarity, but in some cases it may be
  -- convenient to use the underlying types (for example to
  -- avoid an unnecessary dependency of a spec on the spec
  -- of this unit).
  type size_t is mod 2 ** Standard'Address_Size;
  NULL_Stream : constant FILEs;
  -- Value returned (NULL in C) to indicate an
  -- fdopen/fopen/tmpfile error
  ----------------------------------
  -- Constants Defined in stdio.h --
  ----------------------------------
  EOF : constant int;
  -- Used by a number of routines to indicate error or
  -- end of file
  IOFBF : constant int;
  IOLBF : constant int;
  IONBF : constant int;
  -- Used to indicate buffering mode for setvbuf call
  SEEK_CUR : constant int;
  SEEK_END : constant int;
  SEEK_SET : constant int;
  -- Used to indicate origin for fseek call
  function stdin return FILEs;
  function stdout return FILEs;
  function stderr return FILEs;
  -- Streams associated with standard files
  --------------------------
  -- Standard C functions --
  --------------------------
  -- The functions selected below are ones that are
  -- available in UNIX (but not necessarily in ANSI C).
  -- These are very thin interfaces
  -- which copy exactly the C headers.  For more
  -- documentation on these functions, see the Microsoft C
  -- "Run-Time Library Reference" (Microsoft Press, 1990,
  -- ISBN 1-55615-225-6), which includes useful information
  -- on system compatibility.
  procedure clearerr (stream : FILEs);
  function fclose (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fdopen (handle : int; mode : chars) return FILEs;
  function feof (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function ferror (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fflush (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fgetc (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fgets (strng : chars; n : int; stream : FILEs)
      return chars;
  function fileno (stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fopen (filename : chars; Mode : chars)
      return FILEs;
  -- Note: to maintain target independence, use
  -- text_translation_required, a boolean variable defined in
  -- a-sysdep.c to deal with the target dependent text
  -- translation requirement.  If this variable is set,
  -- then  b/t should be appended to the standard mode
  -- argument to set the text translation mode off or on
  -- as required.
  function fputc (C : int; stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fputs (Strng : chars; Stream : FILEs) return int;
  function fread
     (buffer : voids;
      size : size_t;
      count : size_t;
      stream : FILEs)
      return size_t;
  function freopen
     (filename : chars;
      mode : chars;
      stream : FILEs)
      return FILEs;
  function fseek
     (stream : FILEs;
      offset : long;
      origin : int)
      return int;
  function ftell (stream : FILEs) return long;
  function fwrite
     (buffer : voids;
      size : size_t;
      count : size_t;
      stream : FILEs)
      return size_t;
  function isatty (handle : int) return int;
  procedure mktemp (template : chars);
  -- The return value (which is just a pointer to template)
  -- is discarded
  procedure rewind (stream : FILEs);
  function rmtmp return int;
  function setvbuf
     (stream : FILEs;
      buffer : chars;
      mode : int;
      size : size_t)
      return int;
 
  function tmpfile return FILEs;
  function ungetc (c : int; stream : FILEs) return int;
  function unlink (filename : chars) return int;
  ---------------------
  -- Extra functions --
  ---------------------
  -- These functions supply slightly thicker bindings than
  -- those above.  They are derived from functions in the
  -- C Run-Time Library, but may do a bit more work than
  -- just directly calling one of the Library functions.
  function is_regular_file (handle : int) return int;
  -- Tests if given handle is for a regular file (result 1)
  -- or for a non-regular file (pipe or device, result 0).
  ---------------------------------
  -- Control of Text/Binary Mode --
  ---------------------------------
  -- If text_translation_required is true, then the following
  -- functions may be used to dynamically switch a file from
  -- binary to text mode or vice versa.  These functions have
  -- no effect if text_translation_required is false (i.e.@: in
  -- normal UNIX mode).  Use fileno to get a stream handle.
  procedure set_binary_mode (handle : int);
  procedure set_text_mode (handle : int);
  ----------------------------
  -- Full Path Name support --
  ----------------------------
  procedure full_name (nam : chars; buffer : chars);
  -- Given a NUL terminated string representing a file
  -- name, returns in buffer a NUL terminated string
  -- representing the full path name for the file name.
  -- On systems where it is relevant the   drive is also
  -- part of the full path name.  It is the responsibility
  -- of the caller to pass an actual parameter for buffer
  -- that is big enough for any full path name.  Use
  -- max_path_len given below as the size of buffer.
  max_path_len : integer;
  -- Maximum length of an allowable full path name on the
  -- system, including a terminating NUL character.
end Interfaces.C_Streams;
@end smallexample
 
@node Interfacing to C Streams
@section Interfacing to C Streams
 
@noindent
The packages in this section permit interfacing Ada files to C Stream
operations.
 
@smallexample @c ada
 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
 package Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams is
    function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
       return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
    procedure Open
      (File : in out File_Type;
       Mode : in File_Mode;
       C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
       Form : in String := "");
 end Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams;
 
  with Interfaces.C_Streams;
  package Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams is
     function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
        return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
     procedure Open
       (File : in out File_Type;
        Mode : in File_Mode;
        C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
        Form : in String := "");
  end Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams;
 
  with Interfaces.C_Streams;
  package Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams is
     function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
        return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
     procedure Open
       (File : in out File_Type;
        Mode : in File_Mode;
        C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
        Form : in String := "");
  end Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams;
 
  with Interfaces.C_Streams;
  package Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams is
     function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
        return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
     procedure Open
       (File : in out File_Type;
        Mode : in File_Mode;
        C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
        Form : in String := "");
 end Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams;
 
  with Interfaces.C_Streams;
  package Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams is
     function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
        return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
     procedure Open
       (File : in out File_Type;
        Mode : in File_Mode;
        C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
        Form : in String := "");
 end Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams;
 
 with Interfaces.C_Streams;
 package Ada.Stream_IO.C_Streams is
    function C_Stream (F : File_Type)
       return Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
    procedure Open
      (File : in out File_Type;
       Mode : in File_Mode;
       C_Stream : in Interfaces.C_Streams.FILEs;
       Form : in String := "");
 end Ada.Stream_IO.C_Streams;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In each of these six packages, the @code{C_Stream} function obtains the
@code{FILE} pointer from a currently opened Ada file.  It is then
possible to use the @code{Interfaces.C_Streams} package to operate on
this stream, or the stream can be passed to a C program which can
operate on it directly.  Of course the program is responsible for
ensuring that only appropriate sequences of operations are executed.
 
One particular use of relevance to an Ada program is that the
@code{setvbuf} function can be used to control the buffering of the
stream used by an Ada file.  In the absence of such a call the standard
default buffering is used.
 
The @code{Open} procedures in these packages open a file giving an
existing C Stream instead of a file name.  Typically this stream is
imported from a C program, allowing an Ada file to operate on an
existing C file.
 
@node The GNAT Library
@chapter The GNAT Library
 
@noindent
The GNAT library contains a number of general and special purpose packages.
It represents functionality that the GNAT developers have found useful, and
which is made available to GNAT users.  The packages described here are fully
supported, and upwards compatibility will be maintained in future releases,
so you can use these facilities with the confidence that the same functionality
will be available in future releases.
 
The chapter here simply gives a brief summary of the facilities available.
The full documentation is found in the spec file for the package.  The full
sources of these library packages, including both spec and body, are provided
with all GNAT releases.  For example, to find out the full specifications of
the SPITBOL pattern matching capability, including a full tutorial and
extensive examples, look in the @file{g-spipat.ads} file in the library.
 
For each entry here, the package name (as it would appear in a @code{with}
clause) is given, followed by the name of the corresponding spec file in
parentheses.  The packages are children in four hierarchies, @code{Ada},
@code{Interfaces}, @code{System}, and @code{GNAT}, the latter being a
GNAT-specific hierarchy.
 
Note that an application program should only use packages in one of these
four hierarchies if the package is defined in the Ada Reference Manual,
or is listed in this section of the GNAT Programmers Reference Manual.
All other units should be considered internal implementation units and
should not be directly @code{with}'ed by application code.  The use of
a @code{with} statement that references one of these internal implementation
units makes an application potentially dependent on changes in versions
of GNAT, and will generate a warning message.
 
@menu
* Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-chzla1.ads)::
* Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-chzla9.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Doubly_Linked_Lists (a-cfdlli.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Maps (a-cfhama.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Sets (a-cfhase.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Maps (a-cforma.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Sets (a-cforse.ads)::
* Ada.Containers.Formal_Vectors (a-cofove.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)::
* Ada.Command_Line.Response_File (a-clrefi.ads)::
* Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Last_Chance_Handler (a-elchha.ads)::
* Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)::
* Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)::
* Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)::
* Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)::
* Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)::
* Ada.Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-tirsfi.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-wichun.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-wrstfi.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-zchuni.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)::
* Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-zrstfi.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec (g-altive.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Conversions (g-altcon.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Operations (g-alveop.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Types (g-alvety.ads)::
* GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Views (g-alvevi.ads)::
* GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)::
* GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)::
* GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)::
* GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)::
* GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)::
* GNAT.Byte_Order_Mark (g-byorma.ads)::
* GNAT.Byte_Swapping (g-bytswa.ads)::
* GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)::
* GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)::
* GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)::
* GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)::
* GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)::
* GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)::
* GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)::
* GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)::
* GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)::
* GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)::
* GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)::
* GNAT.Decode_String (g-decstr.ads)::
* GNAT.Decode_UTF8_String (g-deutst.ads)::
* GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)::
* GNAT.Directory_Operations.Iteration (g-diopit.ads)::
* GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)::
* GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)::
* GNAT.Encode_String (g-encstr.ads)::
* GNAT.Encode_UTF8_String (g-enutst.ads)::
* GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)::
* GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)::
* GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)::
* GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)::
* GNAT.Expect.TTY (g-exptty.ads)::
* GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)::
* GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)::
* GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)::
* GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)::
* GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)::
* GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)::
* GNAT.MBBS_Discrete_Random (g-mbdira.ads)::
* GNAT.MBBS_Float_Random (g-mbflra.ads)::
* GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)::
* GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)::
* GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)::
* GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)::
* GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)::
* GNAT.Random_Numbers (g-rannum.ads)::
* GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)::
* GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)::
* GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)::
* GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)::
* GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)::
* GNAT.Serial_Communications (g-sercom.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA1 (g-sha1.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA224 (g-sha224.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA256 (g-sha256.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA384 (g-sha384.ads)::
* GNAT.SHA512 (g-sha512.ads)::
* GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)::
* GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)::
* GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)::
* GNAT.Spelling_Checker (g-speche.ads)::
* GNAT.Spelling_Checker_Generic (g-spchge.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)::
* GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)::
* GNAT.SSE (g-sse.ads)::
* GNAT.SSE.Vector_Types (g-ssvety.ads)::
* GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)::
* GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)::
* GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)::
* GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)::
* GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)::
* GNAT.Time_Stamp (g-timsta.ads)::
* GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)::
* GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)::
* GNAT.UTF_32 (g-utf_32.ads)::
* GNAT.UTF_32_Spelling_Checker (g-u3spch.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-wispch.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-zspche.ads)::
* GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)::
* Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)::
* Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)::
* Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)::
* Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)::
* Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)::
* Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)::
* System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)::
* System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)::
* System.Memory (s-memory.ads)::
* System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)::
* System.Pool_Global (s-pooglo.ads)::
* System.Pool_Local (s-pooloc.ads)::
* System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)::
* System.Rident (s-rident.ads)::
* System.Strings.Stream_Ops (s-ststop.ads)::
* System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)::
* System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)::
* System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)::
@end menu
 
@node Ada.Characters.Latin_9 (a-chlat9.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} (@file{a-chlat9.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} (@file{a-chlat9.ads})
@cindex Latin_9 constants for Character
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
few modifications required for @code{Latin-9}
The provision of such a package
is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
(RM A.3.3(27)).
 
@node Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1 (a-cwila1.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
@cindex Latin_1 constants for Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
types of the constants being @code{Wide_Character}
instead of @code{Character}.  The provision of such a package
is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
(RM A.3.3(27)).
 
@node Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9 (a-cwila9.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-cwila1.ads})
@cindex Latin_9 constants for Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
GNAT defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} but with the
types of the constants being @code{Wide_Character}
instead of @code{Character}.  The provision of such a package
is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
(RM A.3.3(27)).
 
@node Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1 (a-chzla1.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-chzla1.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_1} (@file{a-chzla1.ads})
@cindex Latin_1 constants for Wide_Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
RM-defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1} but with the
types of the constants being @code{Wide_Wide_Character}
instead of @code{Character}.  The provision of such a package
is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
(RM A.3.3(27)).
 
@node Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9 (a-chzla9.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-chzla9.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Characters.Wide_Wide_Latin_9} (@file{a-chzla9.ads})
@cindex Latin_9 constants for Wide_Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Characters}
provides a set of definitions corresponding to those in the
GNAT defined package @code{Ada.Characters.Latin_9} but with the
types of the constants being @code{Wide_Wide_Character}
instead of @code{Character}.  The provision of such a package
is specifically authorized by the Ada Reference Manual
(RM A.3.3(27)).
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Doubly_Linked_Lists (a-cfdlli.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Doubly_Linked_Lists} (@file{a-cfdlli.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Doubly_Linked_Lists} (@file{a-cfdlli.ads})
@cindex Formal container for doubly linked lists
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for doubly linked lists, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Maps (a-cfhama.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Maps} (@file{a-cfhama.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Maps} (@file{a-cfhama.ads})
@cindex Formal container for hashed maps
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for hashed maps, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Sets (a-cfhase.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Sets} (@file{a-cfhase.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Hashed_Sets} (@file{a-cfhase.ads})
@cindex Formal container for hashed sets
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for hashed sets, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Maps (a-cforma.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Maps} (@file{a-cforma.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Maps} (@file{a-cforma.ads})
@cindex Formal container for ordered maps
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for ordered maps, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Sets (a-cforse.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Sets} (@file{a-cforse.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Ordered_Sets} (@file{a-cforse.ads})
@cindex Formal container for ordered sets
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for ordered sets, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Containers.Formal_Vectors (a-cofove.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Vectors} (@file{a-cofove.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Containers.Formal_Vectors} (@file{a-cofove.ads})
@cindex Formal container for vectors
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Containers} defines a modified version of the Ada 2005
container for vectors, meant to facilitate formal verification of
code using such containers.
 
@node Ada.Command_Line.Environment (a-colien.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Command_Line.Environment} (@file{a-colien.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Command_Line.Environment} (@file{a-colien.ads})
@cindex Environment entries
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Command_Line}
provides a mechanism for obtaining environment values on systems
where this concept makes sense.
 
@node Ada.Command_Line.Remove (a-colire.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Command_Line.Remove} (@file{a-colire.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Command_Line.Remove} (@file{a-colire.ads})
@cindex Removing command line arguments
@cindex Command line, argument removal
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Command_Line}
provides a mechanism for logically removing
arguments from the argument list.  Once removed, an argument is not visible
to further calls on the subprograms in @code{Ada.Command_Line} will not
see the removed argument.
 
@node Ada.Command_Line.Response_File (a-clrefi.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Command_Line.Response_File} (@file{a-clrefi.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Command_Line.Response_File} (@file{a-clrefi.ads})
@cindex Response file for command line
@cindex Command line, response file
@cindex Command line, handling long command lines
 
@noindent
This child of @code{Ada.Command_Line} provides a mechanism facilities for
getting command line arguments from a text file, called a "response file".
Using a response file allow passing a set of arguments to an executable longer
than the maximum allowed by the system on the command line.
 
@node Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams (a-diocst.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-diocst.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Direct_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-diocst.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Direct_IO
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Direct_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence (a-einuoc.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence} (@file{a-einuoc.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Exceptions.Is_Null_Occurrence} (@file{a-einuoc.ads})
@cindex Null_Occurrence, testing for
 
@noindent
This child subprogram provides a way of testing for the null
exception occurrence (@code{Null_Occurrence}) without raising
an exception.
 
@node Ada.Exceptions.Last_Chance_Handler (a-elchha.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Exceptions.Last_Chance_Handler} (@file{a-elchha.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Exceptions.Last_Chance_Handler} (@file{a-elchha.ads})
@cindex Null_Occurrence, testing for
 
@noindent
This child subprogram is used for handling otherwise unhandled
exceptions (hence the name last chance), and perform clean ups before
terminating the program. Note that this subprogram never returns.
 
@node Ada.Exceptions.Traceback (a-exctra.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Exceptions.Traceback} (@file{a-exctra.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Exceptions.Traceback} (@file{a-exctra.ads})
@cindex Traceback for Exception Occurrence
 
@noindent
This child package provides the subprogram (@code{Tracebacks}) to
give a traceback array of addresses based on an exception
occurrence.
 
@node Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams (a-siocst.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-siocst.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Sequential_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-siocst.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Sequential_IO
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Sequential_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams (a-ssicst.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ssicst.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Streams.Stream_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ssicst.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with Stream_IO
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Stream_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO (a-suteio.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO} (@file{a-suteio.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO} (@file{a-suteio.ads})
@cindex @code{Unbounded_String}, IO support
@cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded strings
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
with ordinary strings.
 
@node Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO (a-swuwti.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-swuwti.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-swuwti.ads})
@cindex @code{Unbounded_Wide_String}, IO support
@cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded wide strings
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
wide strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
with ordinary wide strings.
 
@node Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO (a-szuzti.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-szuzti.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Strings.Wide_Wide_Unbounded.Wide_Wide_Text_IO} (@file{a-szuzti.ads})
@cindex @code{Unbounded_Wide_Wide_String}, IO support
@cindex @code{Text_IO}, extensions for unbounded wide wide strings
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms for Text_IO for unbounded
wide wide strings, avoiding the necessity for an intermediate operation
with ordinary wide wide strings.
 
@node Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams (a-tiocst.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-tiocst.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-tiocst.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Text_IO}
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Text_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-tirsfi.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-tirsfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-tirsfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Text_IO} resetting standard files
 
@noindent
This procedure is used to reset the status of the standard files used
by Ada.Text_IO.  This is useful in a situation (such as a restart in an
embedded application) where the status of the files may change during
execution (for example a standard input file may be redefined to be
interactive).
 
@node Ada.Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-wichun.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Characters.Unicode} (@file{a-wichun.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Characters.Unicode} (@file{a-wichun.ads})
@cindex Unicode categorization, Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow categorization of
Wide_Character values according to Unicode categories.
 
@node Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-wtcstr.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-wtcstr.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-wtcstr.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Wide_Text_IO}
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Wide_Text_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-wrstfi.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-wrstfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-wrstfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Wide_Text_IO} resetting standard files
 
@noindent
This procedure is used to reset the status of the standard files used
by Ada.Wide_Text_IO.  This is useful in a situation (such as a restart in an
embedded application) where the status of the files may change during
execution (for example a standard input file may be redefined to be
interactive).
 
@node Ada.Wide_Wide_Characters.Unicode (a-zchuni.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Characters.Unicode} (@file{a-zchuni.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Characters.Unicode} (@file{a-zchuni.ads})
@cindex Unicode categorization, Wide_Wide_Character
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow categorization of
Wide_Wide_Character values according to Unicode categories.
 
@node Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams (a-ztcstr.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ztcstr.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.C_Streams} (@file{a-ztcstr.ads})
@cindex C Streams, Interfacing with @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}
 
@noindent
This package provides subprograms that allow interfacing between
C streams and @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO}.  The stream identifier can be
extracted from a file opened on the Ada side, and an Ada file
can be constructed from a stream opened on the C side.
 
@node Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files (a-zrstfi.ads)
@section @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-zrstfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO.Reset_Standard_Files} (@file{a-zrstfi.ads})
@cindex @code{Wide_Wide_Text_IO} resetting standard files
 
@noindent
This procedure is used to reset the status of the standard files used
by Ada.Wide_Wide_Text_IO. This is useful in a situation (such as a
restart in an embedded application) where the status of the files may
change during execution (for example a standard input file may be
redefined to be interactive).
 
@node GNAT.Altivec (g-altive.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Altivec} (@file{g-altive.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Altivec} (@file{g-altive.ads})
@cindex AltiVec
 
@noindent
This is the root package of the GNAT AltiVec binding. It provides
definitions of constants and types common to all the versions of the
binding.
 
@node GNAT.Altivec.Conversions (g-altcon.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Altivec.Conversions} (@file{g-altcon.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Altivec.Conversions} (@file{g-altcon.ads})
@cindex AltiVec
 
@noindent
This package provides the Vector/View conversion routines.
 
@node GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Operations (g-alveop.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Operations} (@file{g-alveop.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Operations} (@file{g-alveop.ads})
@cindex AltiVec
 
@noindent
This package exposes the Ada interface to the AltiVec operations on
vector objects. A soft emulation is included by default in the GNAT
library. The hard binding is provided as a separate package. This unit
is common to both bindings.
 
@node GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Types (g-alvety.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Types} (@file{g-alvety.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Types} (@file{g-alvety.ads})
@cindex AltiVec
 
@noindent
This package exposes the various vector types part of the Ada binding
to AltiVec facilities.
 
@node GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Views (g-alvevi.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Views} (@file{g-alvevi.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Altivec.Vector_Views} (@file{g-alvevi.ads})
@cindex AltiVec
 
@noindent
This package provides public 'View' data types from/to which private
vector representations can be converted via
GNAT.Altivec.Conversions. This allows convenient access to individual
vector elements and provides a simple way to initialize vector
objects.
 
@node GNAT.Array_Split (g-arrspl.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Array_Split} (@file{g-arrspl.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Array_Split} (@file{g-arrspl.ads})
@cindex Array splitter
 
@noindent
Useful array-manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
an array wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
to the resulting slices.
 
@node GNAT.AWK (g-awk.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.AWK} (@file{g-awk.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.AWK} (@file{g-awk.ads})
@cindex Parsing
@cindex AWK
 
@noindent
Provides AWK-like parsing functions, with an easy interface for parsing one
or more files containing formatted data.  The file is viewed as a database
where each record is a line and a field is a data element in this line.
 
@node GNAT.Bounded_Buffers (g-boubuf.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Bounded_Buffers} (@file{g-boubuf.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Bounded_Buffers} (@file{g-boubuf.ads})
@cindex Parsing
@cindex Bounded Buffers
 
@noindent
Provides a concurrent generic bounded buffer abstraction.  Instances are
useful directly or as parts of the implementations of other abstractions,
such as mailboxes.
 
@node GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes (g-boumai.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes} (@file{g-boumai.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Bounded_Mailboxes} (@file{g-boumai.ads})
@cindex Parsing
@cindex Mailboxes
 
@noindent
Provides a thread-safe asynchronous intertask mailbox communication facility.
 
@node GNAT.Bubble_Sort (g-bubsor.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} (@file{g-bubsor.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} (@file{g-bubsor.ads})
@cindex Sorting
@cindex Bubble sort
 
@noindent
Provides a general implementation of bubble sort usable for sorting arbitrary
data items.  Exchange and comparison procedures are provided by passing
access-to-procedure values.
 
@node GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A (g-busora.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A} (@file{g-busora.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_A} (@file{g-busora.ads})
@cindex Sorting
@cindex Bubble sort
 
@noindent
Provides a general implementation of bubble sort usable for sorting arbitrary
data items.  Move and comparison procedures are provided by passing
access-to-procedure values. This is an older version, retained for
compatibility. Usually @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort} will be preferable.
 
@node GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G (g-busorg.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G} (@file{g-busorg.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Bubble_Sort_G} (@file{g-busorg.ads})
@cindex Sorting
@cindex Bubble sort
 
@noindent
Similar to @code{Bubble_Sort_A} except that the move and sorting procedures
are provided as generic parameters, this improves efficiency, especially
if the procedures can be inlined, at the expense of duplicating code for
multiple instantiations.
 
@node GNAT.Byte_Order_Mark (g-byorma.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Byte_Order_Mark} (@file{g-byorma.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Byte_Order_Mark} (@file{g-byorma.ads})
@cindex UTF-8 representation
@cindex Wide characte representations
 
@noindent
Provides a routine which given a string, reads the start of the string to
see whether it is one of the standard byte order marks (BOM's) which signal
the encoding of the string. The routine includes detection of special XML
sequences for various UCS input formats.
 
@node GNAT.Byte_Swapping (g-bytswa.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Byte_Swapping} (@file{g-bytswa.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Byte_Swapping} (@file{g-bytswa.ads})
@cindex Byte swapping
@cindex Endian
 
@noindent
General routines for swapping the bytes in 2-, 4-, and 8-byte quantities.
Machine-specific implementations are available in some cases.
 
@node GNAT.Calendar (g-calend.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Calendar} (@file{g-calend.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Calendar} (@file{g-calend.ads})
@cindex @code{Calendar}
 
@noindent
Extends the facilities provided by @code{Ada.Calendar} to include handling
of days of the week, an extended @code{Split} and @code{Time_Of} capability.
Also provides conversion of @code{Ada.Calendar.Time} values to and from the
C @code{timeval} format.
 
@node GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO (g-catiio.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO} (@file{g-catiio.ads})
@cindex @code{Calendar}
@cindex Time
@cindex @code{GNAT.Calendar.Time_IO} (@file{g-catiio.ads})
 
@node GNAT.CRC32 (g-crc32.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.CRC32} (@file{g-crc32.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.CRC32} (@file{g-crc32.ads})
@cindex CRC32
@cindex Cyclic Redundancy Check
 
@noindent
This package implements the CRC-32 algorithm.  For a full description
of this algorithm see
``Computation of Cyclic Redundancy Checks via Table Look-Up'',
@cite{Communications of the ACM}, Vol.@: 31 No.@: 8, pp.@: 1008-1013,
Aug.@: 1988.  Sarwate, D.V@.
 
@node GNAT.Case_Util (g-casuti.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Case_Util} (@file{g-casuti.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Case_Util} (@file{g-casuti.ads})
@cindex Casing utilities
@cindex Character handling (@code{GNAT.Case_Util})
 
@noindent
A set of simple routines for handling upper and lower casing of strings
without the overhead of the full casing tables
in @code{Ada.Characters.Handling}.
 
@node GNAT.CGI (g-cgi.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.CGI} (@file{g-cgi.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.CGI} (@file{g-cgi.ads})
@cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
 
@noindent
This is a package for interfacing a GNAT program with a Web server via the
Common Gateway Interface (CGI)@.  Basically this package parses the CGI
parameters, which are a set of key/value pairs sent by the Web server.  It
builds a table whose index is the key and provides some services to deal
with this table.
 
@node GNAT.CGI.Cookie (g-cgicoo.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.CGI.Cookie} (@file{g-cgicoo.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.CGI.Cookie} (@file{g-cgicoo.ads})
@cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface) cookie support
@cindex Cookie support in CGI
 
@noindent
This is a package to interface a GNAT program with a Web server via the
Common Gateway Interface (CGI).  It exports services to deal with Web
cookies (piece of information kept in the Web client software).
 
@node GNAT.CGI.Debug (g-cgideb.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.CGI.Debug} (@file{g-cgideb.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.CGI.Debug} (@file{g-cgideb.ads})
@cindex CGI (Common Gateway Interface) debugging
 
@noindent
This is a package to help debugging CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
programs written in Ada.
 
@node GNAT.Command_Line (g-comlin.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Command_Line} (@file{g-comlin.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Command_Line} (@file{g-comlin.ads})
@cindex Command line
 
@noindent
Provides a high level interface to @code{Ada.Command_Line} facilities,
including the ability to scan for named switches with optional parameters
and expand file names using wild card notations.
 
@node GNAT.Compiler_Version (g-comver.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Compiler_Version} (@file{g-comver.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Compiler_Version} (@file{g-comver.ads})
@cindex Compiler Version
@cindex Version, of compiler
 
@noindent
Provides a routine for obtaining the version of the compiler used to
compile the program. More accurately this is the version of the binder
used to bind the program (this will normally be the same as the version
of the compiler if a consistent tool set is used to compile all units
of a partition).
 
@node GNAT.Ctrl_C (g-ctrl_c.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Ctrl_C} (@file{g-ctrl_c.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Ctrl_C} (@file{g-ctrl_c.ads})
@cindex Interrupt
 
@noindent
Provides a simple interface to handle Ctrl-C keyboard events.
 
@node GNAT.Current_Exception (g-curexc.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Current_Exception} (@file{g-curexc.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Current_Exception} (@file{g-curexc.ads})
@cindex Current exception
@cindex Exception retrieval
 
@noindent
Provides access to information on the current exception that has been raised
without the need for using the Ada 95 / Ada 2005 exception choice parameter
specification syntax.
This is particularly useful in simulating typical facilities for
obtaining information about exceptions provided by Ada 83 compilers.
 
@node GNAT.Debug_Pools (g-debpoo.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} (@file{g-debpoo.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Debug_Pools} (@file{g-debpoo.ads})
@cindex Debugging
@cindex Debug pools
@cindex Memory corruption debugging
 
@noindent
Provide a debugging storage pools that helps tracking memory corruption
problems.  @xref{The GNAT Debug Pool Facility,,, gnat_ugn,
@value{EDITION} User's Guide}.
 
@node GNAT.Debug_Utilities (g-debuti.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities} (@file{g-debuti.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Debug_Utilities} (@file{g-debuti.ads})
@cindex Debugging
 
@noindent
Provides a few useful utilities for debugging purposes, including conversion
to and from string images of address values. Supports both C and Ada formats
for hexadecimal literals.
 
@node GNAT.Decode_String (g-decstr.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Decode_String} (@file{g-decstr.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Decode_String} (@file{g-decstr.ads})
@cindex Decoding strings
@cindex String decoding
@cindex Wide character encoding
@cindex UTF-8
@cindex Unicode
 
@noindent
A generic package providing routines for decoding wide character and wide wide
character strings encoded as sequences of 8-bit characters using a specified
encoding method. Includes validation routines, and also routines for stepping
to next or previous encoded character in an encoded string.
Useful in conjunction with Unicode character coding. Note there is a
preinstantiation for UTF-8. See next entry.
 
@node GNAT.Decode_UTF8_String (g-deutst.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Decode_UTF8_String} (@file{g-deutst.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Decode_UTF8_String} (@file{g-deutst.ads})
@cindex Decoding strings
@cindex Decoding UTF-8 strings
@cindex UTF-8 string decoding
@cindex Wide character decoding
@cindex UTF-8
@cindex Unicode
 
@noindent
A preinstantiation of GNAT.Decode_Strings for UTF-8 encoding.
 
@node GNAT.Directory_Operations (g-dirope.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations} (@file{g-dirope.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations} (@file{g-dirope.ads})
@cindex Directory operations
 
@noindent
Provides a set of routines for manipulating directories, including changing
the current directory, making new directories, and scanning the files in a
directory.
 
@node GNAT.Directory_Operations.Iteration (g-diopit.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations.Iteration} (@file{g-diopit.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Directory_Operations.Iteration} (@file{g-diopit.ads})
@cindex Directory operations iteration
 
@noindent
A child unit of GNAT.Directory_Operations providing additional operations
for iterating through directories.
 
@node GNAT.Dynamic_HTables (g-dynhta.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Dynamic_HTables} (@file{g-dynhta.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Dynamic_HTables} (@file{g-dynhta.ads})
@cindex Hash tables
 
@noindent
A generic implementation of hash tables that can be used to hash arbitrary
data.  Provided in two forms, a simple form with built in hash functions,
and a more complex form in which the hash function is supplied.
 
@noindent
This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.HTable},
except that this package declares a type that can be used to define
dynamic instances of the hash table, while an instantiation of
@code{GNAT.HTable} creates a single instance of the hash table.
 
@node GNAT.Dynamic_Tables (g-dyntab.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} (@file{g-dyntab.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} (@file{g-dyntab.ads})
@cindex Table implementation
@cindex Arrays, extendable
 
@noindent
A generic package providing a single dimension array abstraction where the
length of the array can be dynamically modified.
 
@noindent
This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.Table},
except that this package declares a type that can be used to define
dynamic instances of the table, while an instantiation of
@code{GNAT.Table} creates a single instance of the table type.
 
@node GNAT.Encode_String (g-encstr.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Encode_String} (@file{g-encstr.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Encode_String} (@file{g-encstr.ads})
@cindex Encoding strings
@cindex String encoding
@cindex Wide character encoding
@cindex UTF-8
@cindex Unicode
 
@noindent
A generic package providing routines for encoding wide character and wide
wide character strings as sequences of 8-bit characters using a specified
encoding method. Useful in conjunction with Unicode character coding.
Note there is a preinstantiation for UTF-8. See next entry.
 
@node GNAT.Encode_UTF8_String (g-enutst.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Encode_UTF8_String} (@file{g-enutst.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Encode_UTF8_String} (@file{g-enutst.ads})
@cindex Encoding strings
@cindex Encoding UTF-8 strings
@cindex UTF-8 string encoding
@cindex Wide character encoding
@cindex UTF-8
@cindex Unicode
 
@noindent
A preinstantiation of GNAT.Encode_Strings for UTF-8 encoding.
 
@node GNAT.Exception_Actions (g-excact.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Exception_Actions} (@file{g-excact.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Exception_Actions} (@file{g-excact.ads})
@cindex Exception actions
 
@noindent
Provides callbacks when an exception is raised. Callbacks can be registered
for specific exceptions, or when any exception is raised. This
can be used for instance to force a core dump to ease debugging.
 
@node GNAT.Exception_Traces (g-exctra.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Exception_Traces} (@file{g-exctra.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Exception_Traces} (@file{g-exctra.ads})
@cindex Exception traces
@cindex Debugging
 
@noindent
Provides an interface allowing to control automatic output upon exception
occurrences.
 
@node GNAT.Exceptions (g-except.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Exceptions} (@file{g-expect.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Exceptions} (@file{g-expect.ads})
@cindex Exceptions, Pure
@cindex Pure packages, exceptions
 
@noindent
Normally it is not possible to raise an exception with
a message from a subprogram in a pure package, since the
necessary types and subprograms are in @code{Ada.Exceptions}
which is not a pure unit. @code{GNAT.Exceptions} provides a
facility for getting around this limitation for a few
predefined exceptions, and for example allow raising
@code{Constraint_Error} with a message from a pure subprogram.
 
@node GNAT.Expect (g-expect.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Expect} (@file{g-expect.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Expect} (@file{g-expect.ads})
 
@noindent
Provides a set of subprograms similar to what is available
with the standard Tcl Expect tool.
It allows you to easily spawn and communicate with an external process.
You can send commands or inputs to the process, and compare the output
with some expected regular expression. Currently @code{GNAT.Expect}
is implemented on all native GNAT ports except for OpenVMS@.
It is not implemented for cross ports, and in particular is not
implemented for VxWorks or LynxOS@.
 
@node GNAT.Expect.TTY (g-exptty.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Expect.TTY} (@file{g-exptty.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Expect.TTY} (@file{g-exptty.ads})
 
@noindent
As GNAT.Expect but using pseudo-terminal.
Currently @code{GNAT.Expect.TTY} is implemented on all native GNAT
ports except for OpenVMS@. It is not implemented for cross ports, and
in particular is not implemented for VxWorks or LynxOS@.
 
@node GNAT.Float_Control (g-flocon.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Float_Control} (@file{g-flocon.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Float_Control} (@file{g-flocon.ads})
@cindex Floating-Point Processor
 
@noindent
Provides an interface for resetting the floating-point processor into the
mode required for correct semantic operation in Ada.  Some third party
library calls may cause this mode to be modified, and the Reset procedure
in this package can be used to reestablish the required mode.
 
@node GNAT.Heap_Sort (g-heasor.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} (@file{g-heasor.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} (@file{g-heasor.ads})
@cindex Sorting
 
@noindent
Provides a general implementation of heap sort usable for sorting arbitrary
data items. Exchange and comparison procedures are provided by passing
access-to-procedure values.  The algorithm used is a modified heap sort
that performs approximately N*log(N) comparisons in the worst case.
 
@node GNAT.Heap_Sort_A (g-hesora.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_A} (@file{g-hesora.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_A} (@file{g-hesora.ads})
@cindex Sorting
 
@noindent
Provides a general implementation of heap sort usable for sorting arbitrary
data items. Move and comparison procedures are provided by passing
access-to-procedure values.  The algorithm used is a modified heap sort
that performs approximately N*log(N) comparisons in the worst case.
This differs from @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort} in having a less convenient
interface, but may be slightly more efficient.
 
@node GNAT.Heap_Sort_G (g-hesorg.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_G} (@file{g-hesorg.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Heap_Sort_G} (@file{g-hesorg.ads})
@cindex Sorting
 
@noindent
Similar to @code{Heap_Sort_A} except that the move and sorting procedures
are provided as generic parameters, this improves efficiency, especially
if the procedures can be inlined, at the expense of duplicating code for
multiple instantiations.
 
@node GNAT.HTable (g-htable.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.HTable} (@file{g-htable.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.HTable} (@file{g-htable.ads})
@cindex Hash tables
 
@noindent
A generic implementation of hash tables that can be used to hash arbitrary
data.  Provides two approaches, one a simple static approach, and the other
allowing arbitrary dynamic hash tables.
 
@node GNAT.IO (g-io.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.IO} (@file{g-io.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.IO} (@file{g-io.ads})
@cindex Simple I/O
@cindex Input/Output facilities
 
@noindent
A simple preelaborable input-output package that provides a subset of
simple Text_IO functions for reading characters and strings from
Standard_Input, and writing characters, strings and integers to either
Standard_Output or Standard_Error.
 
@node GNAT.IO_Aux (g-io_aux.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.IO_Aux} (@file{g-io_aux.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.IO_Aux} (@file{g-io_aux.ads})
@cindex Text_IO
@cindex Input/Output facilities
 
Provides some auxiliary functions for use with Text_IO, including a test
for whether a file exists, and functions for reading a line of text.
 
@node GNAT.Lock_Files (g-locfil.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Lock_Files} (@file{g-locfil.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Lock_Files} (@file{g-locfil.ads})
@cindex File locking
@cindex Locking using files
 
@noindent
Provides a general interface for using files as locks.  Can be used for
providing program level synchronization.
 
@node GNAT.MBBS_Discrete_Random (g-mbdira.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.MBBS_Discrete_Random} (@file{g-mbdira.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.MBBS_Discrete_Random} (@file{g-mbdira.ads})
@cindex Random number generation
 
@noindent
The original implementation of @code{Ada.Numerics.Discrete_Random}.  Uses
a modified version of the Blum-Blum-Shub generator.
 
@node GNAT.MBBS_Float_Random (g-mbflra.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.MBBS_Float_Random} (@file{g-mbflra.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.MBBS_Float_Random} (@file{g-mbflra.ads})
@cindex Random number generation
 
@noindent
The original implementation of @code{Ada.Numerics.Float_Random}.  Uses
a modified version of the Blum-Blum-Shub generator.
 
@node GNAT.MD5 (g-md5.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.MD5} (@file{g-md5.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.MD5} (@file{g-md5.ads})
@cindex Message Digest MD5
 
@noindent
Implements the MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm as described in RFC 1321.
 
@node GNAT.Memory_Dump (g-memdum.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Memory_Dump} (@file{g-memdum.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Memory_Dump} (@file{g-memdum.ads})
@cindex Dump Memory
 
@noindent
Provides a convenient routine for dumping raw memory to either the
standard output or standard error files. Uses GNAT.IO for actual
output.
 
@node GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception (g-moreex.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception} (@file{g-moreex.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Most_Recent_Exception} (@file{g-moreex.ads})
@cindex Exception, obtaining most recent
 
@noindent
Provides access to the most recently raised exception.  Can be used for
various logging purposes, including duplicating functionality of some
Ada 83 implementation dependent extensions.
 
@node GNAT.OS_Lib (g-os_lib.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.OS_Lib} (@file{g-os_lib.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.OS_Lib} (@file{g-os_lib.ads})
@cindex Operating System interface
@cindex Spawn capability
 
@noindent
Provides a range of target independent operating system interface functions,
including time/date management, file operations, subprocess management,
including a portable spawn procedure, and access to environment variables
and error return codes.
 
@node GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators (g-pehage.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators} (@file{g-pehage.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Perfect_Hash_Generators} (@file{g-pehage.ads})
@cindex Hash functions
 
@noindent
Provides a generator of static minimal perfect hash functions. No
collisions occur and each item can be retrieved from the table in one
probe (perfect property). The hash table size corresponds to the exact
size of the key set and no larger (minimal property). The key set has to
be know in advance (static property). The hash functions are also order
preserving. If w2 is inserted after w1 in the generator, their
hashcode are in the same order. These hashing functions are very
convenient for use with realtime applications.
 
@node GNAT.Random_Numbers (g-rannum.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Random_Numbers} (@file{g-rannum.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Random_Numbers} (@file{g-rannum.ads})
@cindex Random number generation
 
@noindent
Provides random number capabilities which extend those available in the
standard Ada library and are more convenient to use.
 
@node GNAT.Regexp (g-regexp.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Regexp} (@file{g-regexp.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Regexp} (@file{g-regexp.ads})
@cindex Regular expressions
@cindex Pattern matching
 
@noindent
A simple implementation of regular expressions, using a subset of regular
expression syntax copied from familiar Unix style utilities.  This is the
simples of the three pattern matching packages provided, and is particularly
suitable for ``file globbing'' applications.
 
@node GNAT.Registry (g-regist.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Registry} (@file{g-regist.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Registry} (@file{g-regist.ads})
@cindex Windows Registry
 
@noindent
This is a high level binding to the Windows registry.  It is possible to
do simple things like reading a key value, creating a new key.  For full
registry API, but at a lower level of abstraction, refer to the Win32.Winreg
package provided with the Win32Ada binding
 
@node GNAT.Regpat (g-regpat.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Regpat} (@file{g-regpat.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Regpat} (@file{g-regpat.ads})
@cindex Regular expressions
@cindex Pattern matching
 
@noindent
A complete implementation of Unix-style regular expression matching, copied
from the original V7 style regular expression library written in C by
Henry Spencer (and binary compatible with this C library).
 
@node GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info (g-sestin.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info} (@file{g-sestin.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Secondary_Stack_Info} (@file{g-sestin.ads})
@cindex Secondary Stack Info
 
@noindent
Provide the capability to query the high water mark of the current task's
secondary stack.
 
@node GNAT.Semaphores (g-semaph.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Semaphores} (@file{g-semaph.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Semaphores} (@file{g-semaph.ads})
@cindex Semaphores
 
@noindent
Provides classic counting and binary semaphores using protected types.
 
@node GNAT.Serial_Communications (g-sercom.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Serial_Communications} (@file{g-sercom.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Serial_Communications} (@file{g-sercom.ads})
@cindex Serial_Communications
 
@noindent
Provides a simple interface to send and receive data over a serial
port. This is only supported on GNU/Linux and Windows.
 
@node GNAT.SHA1 (g-sha1.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SHA1} (@file{g-sha1.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SHA1} (@file{g-sha1.ads})
@cindex Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-1
 
@noindent
Implements the SHA-1 Secure Hash Algorithm as described in FIPS PUB 180-3
and RFC 3174.
 
@node GNAT.SHA224 (g-sha224.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SHA224} (@file{g-sha224.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SHA224} (@file{g-sha224.ads})
@cindex Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-224
 
@noindent
Implements the SHA-224 Secure Hash Algorithm as described in FIPS PUB 180-3.
 
@node GNAT.SHA256 (g-sha256.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SHA256} (@file{g-sha256.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SHA256} (@file{g-sha256.ads})
@cindex Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-256
 
@noindent
Implements the SHA-256 Secure Hash Algorithm as described in FIPS PUB 180-3.
 
@node GNAT.SHA384 (g-sha384.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SHA384} (@file{g-sha384.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SHA384} (@file{g-sha384.ads})
@cindex Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-384
 
@noindent
Implements the SHA-384 Secure Hash Algorithm as described in FIPS PUB 180-3.
 
@node GNAT.SHA512 (g-sha512.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SHA512} (@file{g-sha512.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SHA512} (@file{g-sha512.ads})
@cindex Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-512
 
@noindent
Implements the SHA-512 Secure Hash Algorithm as described in FIPS PUB 180-3.
 
@node GNAT.Signals (g-signal.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Signals} (@file{g-signal.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Signals} (@file{g-signal.ads})
@cindex Signals
 
@noindent
Provides the ability to manipulate the blocked status of signals on supported
targets.
 
@node GNAT.Sockets (g-socket.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Sockets} (@file{g-socket.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Sockets} (@file{g-socket.ads})
@cindex Sockets
 
@noindent
A high level and portable interface to develop sockets based applications.
This package is based on the sockets thin binding found in
@code{GNAT.Sockets.Thin}. Currently @code{GNAT.Sockets} is implemented
on all native GNAT ports except for OpenVMS@.  It is not implemented
for the LynxOS@ cross port.
 
@node GNAT.Source_Info (g-souinf.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Source_Info} (@file{g-souinf.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Source_Info} (@file{g-souinf.ads})
@cindex Source Information
 
@noindent
Provides subprograms that give access to source code information known at
compile time, such as the current file name and line number.
 
@node GNAT.Spelling_Checker (g-speche.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-speche.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-speche.ads})
@cindex Spell checking
 
@noindent
Provides a function for determining whether one string is a plausible
near misspelling of another string.
 
@node GNAT.Spelling_Checker_Generic (g-spchge.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spelling_Checker_Generic} (@file{g-spchge.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spelling_Checker_Generic} (@file{g-spchge.ads})
@cindex Spell checking
 
@noindent
Provides a generic function that can be instantiated with a string type for
determining whether one string is a plausible near misspelling of another
string.
 
@node GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns (g-spipat.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns} (@file{g-spipat.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns} (@file{g-spipat.ads})
@cindex SPITBOL pattern matching
@cindex Pattern matching
 
@noindent
A complete implementation of SNOBOL4 style pattern matching.  This is the
most elaborate of the pattern matching packages provided.  It fully duplicates
the SNOBOL4 dynamic pattern construction and matching capabilities, using the
efficient algorithm developed by Robert Dewar for the SPITBOL system.
 
@node GNAT.Spitbol (g-spitbo.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spitbol} (@file{g-spitbo.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol} (@file{g-spitbo.ads})
@cindex SPITBOL interface
 
@noindent
The top level package of the collection of SPITBOL-style functionality, this
package provides basic SNOBOL4 string manipulation functions, such as
Pad, Reverse, Trim, Substr capability, as well as a generic table function
useful for constructing arbitrary mappings from strings in the style of
the SNOBOL4 TABLE function.
 
@node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean (g-sptabo.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean} (@file{g-sptabo.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Boolean} (@file{g-sptabo.ads})
@cindex Sets of strings
@cindex SPITBOL Tables
 
@noindent
A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table}
for type @code{Standard.Boolean}, giving an implementation of sets of
string values.
 
@node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer (g-sptain.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer} (@file{g-sptain.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_Integer} (@file{g-sptain.ads})
@cindex Integer maps
@cindex Maps
@cindex SPITBOL Tables
 
@noindent
A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table}
for type @code{Standard.Integer}, giving an implementation of maps
from string to integer values.
 
@node GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString (g-sptavs.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString} (@file{g-sptavs.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Table_VString} (@file{g-sptavs.ads})
@cindex String maps
@cindex Maps
@cindex SPITBOL Tables
 
@noindent
A library level of instantiation of @code{GNAT.Spitbol.Patterns.Table} for
a variable length string type, giving an implementation of general
maps from strings to strings.
 
@node GNAT.SSE (g-sse.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SSE} (@file{g-sse.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SSE} (@file{g-sse.ads})
 
@noindent
Root of a set of units aimed at offering Ada bindings to a subset of
the Intel(r) Streaming SIMD Extensions with GNAT on the x86 family of
targets.  It exposes vector component types together with a general
introduction to the binding contents and use.
 
@node GNAT.SSE.Vector_Types (g-ssvety.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.SSE.Vector_Types} (@file{g-ssvety.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.SSE.Vector_Types} (@file{g-ssvety.ads})
 
@noindent
SSE vector types for use with SSE related intrinsics.
 
@node GNAT.Strings (g-string.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Strings} (@file{g-string.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Strings} (@file{g-string.ads})
 
@noindent
Common String access types and related subprograms. Basically it
defines a string access and an array of string access types.
 
@node GNAT.String_Split (g-strspl.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.String_Split} (@file{g-strspl.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.String_Split} (@file{g-strspl.ads})
@cindex String splitter
 
@noindent
Useful string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
a string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
@code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
 
@node GNAT.Table (g-table.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Table} (@file{g-table.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Table} (@file{g-table.ads})
@cindex Table implementation
@cindex Arrays, extendable
 
@noindent
A generic package providing a single dimension array abstraction where the
length of the array can be dynamically modified.
 
@noindent
This package provides a facility similar to that of @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables},
except that this package declares a single instance of the table type,
while an instantiation of @code{GNAT.Dynamic_Tables} creates a type that can be
used to define dynamic instances of the table.
 
@node GNAT.Task_Lock (g-tasloc.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Task_Lock} (@file{g-tasloc.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Task_Lock} (@file{g-tasloc.ads})
@cindex Task synchronization
@cindex Task locking
@cindex Locking
 
@noindent
A very simple facility for locking and unlocking sections of code using a
single global task lock.  Appropriate for use in situations where contention
between tasks is very rarely expected.
 
@node GNAT.Time_Stamp (g-timsta.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Time_Stamp} (@file{g-timsta.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Time_Stamp} (@file{g-timsta.ads})
@cindex Time stamp
@cindex Current time
 
@noindent
Provides a simple function that returns a string YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.SS that
represents the current date and time in ISO 8601 format. This is a very simple
routine with minimal code and there are no dependencies on any other unit.
 
@node GNAT.Threads (g-thread.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Threads} (@file{g-thread.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Threads} (@file{g-thread.ads})
@cindex Foreign threads
@cindex Threads, foreign
 
@noindent
Provides facilities for dealing with foreign threads which need to be known
by the GNAT run-time system. Consult the documentation of this package for
further details if your program has threads that are created by a non-Ada
environment which then accesses Ada code.
 
@node GNAT.Traceback (g-traceb.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Traceback} (@file{g-traceb.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Traceback} (@file{g-traceb.ads})
@cindex Trace back facilities
 
@noindent
Provides a facility for obtaining non-symbolic traceback information, useful
in various debugging situations.
 
@node GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic (g-trasym.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} (@file{g-trasym.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Traceback.Symbolic} (@file{g-trasym.ads})
@cindex Trace back facilities
 
@node GNAT.UTF_32 (g-utf_32.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.UTF_32} (@file{g-table.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.UTF_32} (@file{g-table.ads})
@cindex Wide character codes
 
@noindent
This is a package intended to be used in conjunction with the
@code{Wide_Character} type in Ada 95 and the
@code{Wide_Wide_Character} type in Ada 2005 (available
in @code{GNAT} in Ada 2005 mode). This package contains
Unicode categorization routines, as well as lexical
categorization routines corresponding to the Ada 2005
lexical rules for identifiers and strings, and also a
lower case to upper case fold routine corresponding to
the Ada 2005 rules for identifier equivalence.
 
@node GNAT.UTF_32_Spelling_Checker (g-u3spch.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-u3spch.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-u3spch.ads})
@cindex Spell checking
 
@noindent
Provides a function for determining whether one wide wide string is a plausible
near misspelling of another wide wide string, where the strings are represented
using the UTF_32_String type defined in System.Wch_Cnv.
 
@node GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-wispch.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-wispch.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-wispch.ads})
@cindex Spell checking
 
@noindent
Provides a function for determining whether one wide string is a plausible
near misspelling of another wide string.
 
@node GNAT.Wide_String_Split (g-wistsp.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-wistsp.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-wistsp.ads})
@cindex Wide_String splitter
 
@noindent
Useful wide string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
a wide string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
@code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
 
@node GNAT.Wide_Wide_Spelling_Checker (g-zspche.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-zspche.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_Spelling_Checker} (@file{g-zspche.ads})
@cindex Spell checking
 
@noindent
Provides a function for determining whether one wide wide string is a plausible
near misspelling of another wide wide string.
 
@node GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split (g-zistsp.ads)
@section @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-zistsp.ads})
@cindex @code{GNAT.Wide_Wide_String_Split} (@file{g-zistsp.ads})
@cindex Wide_Wide_String splitter
 
@noindent
Useful wide wide string manipulation routines: given a set of separators, split
a wide wide string wherever the separators appear, and provide direct access
to the resulting slices. This package is instantiated from
@code{GNAT.Array_Split}.
 
@node Interfaces.C.Extensions (i-cexten.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.C.Extensions} (@file{i-cexten.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.C.Extensions} (@file{i-cexten.ads})
 
@noindent
This package contains additional C-related definitions, intended
for use with either manually or automatically generated bindings
to C libraries.
 
@node Interfaces.C.Streams (i-cstrea.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.C.Streams} (@file{i-cstrea.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.C.Streams} (@file{i-cstrea.ads})
@cindex  C streams, interfacing
 
@noindent
This package is a binding for the most commonly used operations
on C streams.
 
@node Interfaces.CPP (i-cpp.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.CPP} (@file{i-cpp.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.CPP} (@file{i-cpp.ads})
@cindex  C++ interfacing
@cindex  Interfacing, to C++
 
@noindent
This package provides facilities for use in interfacing to C++.  It
is primarily intended to be used in connection with automated tools
for the generation of C++ interfaces.
 
@node Interfaces.Packed_Decimal (i-pacdec.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.Packed_Decimal} (@file{i-pacdec.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.Packed_Decimal} (@file{i-pacdec.ads})
@cindex  IBM Packed Format
@cindex  Packed Decimal
 
@noindent
This package provides a set of routines for conversions to and
from a packed decimal format compatible with that used on IBM
mainframes.
 
@node Interfaces.VxWorks (i-vxwork.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.VxWorks} (@file{i-vxwork.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.VxWorks} (@file{i-vxwork.ads})
@cindex Interfacing to VxWorks
@cindex VxWorks, interfacing
 
@noindent
This package provides a limited binding to the VxWorks API.
In particular, it interfaces with the
VxWorks hardware interrupt facilities.
 
@node Interfaces.VxWorks.IO (i-vxwoio.ads)
@section @code{Interfaces.VxWorks.IO} (@file{i-vxwoio.ads})
@cindex @code{Interfaces.VxWorks.IO} (@file{i-vxwoio.ads})
@cindex Interfacing to VxWorks' I/O
@cindex VxWorks, I/O interfacing
@cindex VxWorks, Get_Immediate
@cindex Get_Immediate, VxWorks
 
@noindent
This package provides a binding to the ioctl (IO/Control)
function of VxWorks, defining a set of option values and
function codes. A particular use of this package is
to enable the use of Get_Immediate under VxWorks.
 
@node System.Address_Image (s-addima.ads)
@section @code{System.Address_Image} (@file{s-addima.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Address_Image} (@file{s-addima.ads})
@cindex Address image
@cindex Image, of an address
 
@noindent
This function provides a useful debugging
function that gives an (implementation dependent)
string which identifies an address.
 
@node System.Assertions (s-assert.ads)
@section @code{System.Assertions} (@file{s-assert.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Assertions} (@file{s-assert.ads})
@cindex Assertions
@cindex Assert_Failure, exception
 
@noindent
This package provides the declaration of the exception raised
by an run-time assertion failure, as well as the routine that
is used internally to raise this assertion.
 
@node System.Memory (s-memory.ads)
@section @code{System.Memory} (@file{s-memory.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Memory} (@file{s-memory.ads})
@cindex Memory allocation
 
@noindent
This package provides the interface to the low level routines used
by the generated code for allocation and freeing storage for the
default storage pool (analogous to the C routines malloc and free.
It also provides a reallocation interface analogous to the C routine
realloc. The body of this unit may be modified to provide alternative
allocation mechanisms for the default pool, and in addition, direct
calls to this unit may be made for low level allocation uses (for
example see the body of @code{GNAT.Tables}).
 
@node System.Partition_Interface (s-parint.ads)
@section @code{System.Partition_Interface} (@file{s-parint.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Partition_Interface} (@file{s-parint.ads})
@cindex Partition interfacing functions
 
@noindent
This package provides facilities for partition interfacing.  It
is used primarily in a distribution context when using Annex E
with @code{GLADE}.
 
@node System.Pool_Global (s-pooglo.ads)
@section @code{System.Pool_Global} (@file{s-pooglo.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Pool_Global} (@file{s-pooglo.ads})
@cindex Storage pool, global
@cindex Global storage pool
 
@noindent
This package provides a storage pool that is equivalent to the default
storage pool used for access types for which no pool is specifically
declared. It uses malloc/free to allocate/free and does not attempt to
do any automatic reclamation.
 
@node System.Pool_Local (s-pooloc.ads)
@section @code{System.Pool_Local} (@file{s-pooloc.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Pool_Local} (@file{s-pooloc.ads})
@cindex Storage pool, local
@cindex Local storage pool
 
@noindent
This package provides a storage pool that is intended for use with locally
defined access types. It uses malloc/free for allocate/free, and maintains
a list of allocated blocks, so that all storage allocated for the pool can
be freed automatically when the pool is finalized.
 
@node System.Restrictions (s-restri.ads)
@section @code{System.Restrictions} (@file{s-restri.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Restrictions} (@file{s-restri.ads})
@cindex Run-time restrictions access
 
@noindent
This package provides facilities for accessing at run time
the status of restrictions specified at compile time for
the partition. Information is available both with regard
to actual restrictions specified, and with regard to
compiler determined information on which restrictions
are violated by one or more packages in the partition.
 
@node System.Rident (s-rident.ads)
@section @code{System.Rident} (@file{s-rident.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Rident} (@file{s-rident.ads})
@cindex Restrictions definitions
 
@noindent
This package provides definitions of the restrictions
identifiers supported by GNAT, and also the format of
the restrictions provided in package System.Restrictions.
It is not normally necessary to @code{with} this generic package
since the necessary instantiation is included in
package System.Restrictions.
 
@node System.Strings.Stream_Ops (s-ststop.ads)
@section @code{System.Strings.Stream_Ops} (@file{s-ststop.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Strings.Stream_Ops} (@file{s-ststop.ads})
@cindex Stream operations
@cindex String stream operations
 
@noindent
This package provides a set of stream subprograms for standard string types.
It is intended primarily to support implicit use of such subprograms when
stream attributes are applied to string types, but the subprograms in this
package can be used directly by application programs.
 
@node System.Task_Info (s-tasinf.ads)
@section @code{System.Task_Info} (@file{s-tasinf.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Task_Info} (@file{s-tasinf.ads})
@cindex Task_Info pragma
 
@noindent
This package provides target dependent functionality that is used
to support the @code{Task_Info} pragma
 
@node System.Wch_Cnv (s-wchcnv.ads)
@section @code{System.Wch_Cnv} (@file{s-wchcnv.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Wch_Cnv} (@file{s-wchcnv.ads})
@cindex Wide Character, Representation
@cindex Wide String, Conversion
@cindex Representation of wide characters
 
@noindent
This package provides routines for converting between
wide and wide wide characters and a representation as a value of type
@code{Standard.String}, using a specified wide character
encoding method.  It uses definitions in
package @code{System.Wch_Con}.
 
@node System.Wch_Con (s-wchcon.ads)
@section @code{System.Wch_Con} (@file{s-wchcon.ads})
@cindex @code{System.Wch_Con} (@file{s-wchcon.ads})
 
@noindent
This package provides definitions and descriptions of
the various methods used for encoding wide characters
in ordinary strings.  These definitions are used by
the package @code{System.Wch_Cnv}.
 
@node Interfacing to Other Languages
@chapter Interfacing to Other Languages
@noindent
The facilities in annex B of the Ada Reference Manual are fully
implemented in GNAT, and in addition, a full interface to C++ is
provided.
 
@menu
* Interfacing to C::
* Interfacing to C++::
* Interfacing to COBOL::
* Interfacing to Fortran::
* Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code::
@end menu
 
@node Interfacing to C
@section Interfacing to C
 
@noindent
Interfacing to C with GNAT can use one of two approaches:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The types in the package @code{Interfaces.C} may be used.
@item
Standard Ada types may be used directly.  This may be less portable to
other compilers, but will work on all GNAT compilers, which guarantee
correspondence between the C and Ada types.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Pragma @code{Convention C} may be applied to Ada types, but mostly has no
effect, since this is the default.  The following table shows the
correspondence between Ada scalar types and the corresponding C types.
 
@table @code
@item Integer
@code{int}
@item Short_Integer
@code{short}
@item Short_Short_Integer
@code{signed char}
@item Long_Integer
@code{long}
@item Long_Long_Integer
@code{long long}
@item Short_Float
@code{float}
@item Float
@code{float}
@item Long_Float
@code{double}
@item Long_Long_Float
This is the longest floating-point type supported by the hardware.
@end table
 
@noindent
Additionally, there are the following general correspondences between Ada
and C types:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Ada enumeration types map to C enumeration types directly if pragma
@code{Convention C} is specified, which causes them to have int
length.  Without pragma @code{Convention C}, Ada enumeration types map to
8, 16, or 32 bits (i.e.@: C types @code{signed char}, @code{short},
@code{int}, respectively) depending on the number of values passed.
This is the only case in which pragma @code{Convention C} affects the
representation of an Ada type.
 
@item
Ada access types map to C pointers, except for the case of pointers to
unconstrained types in Ada, which have no direct C equivalent.
 
@item
Ada arrays map directly to C arrays.
 
@item
Ada records map directly to C structures.
 
@item
Packed Ada records map to C structures where all members are bit fields
of the length corresponding to the @code{@var{type}'Size} value in Ada.
@end itemize
 
@node Interfacing to C++
@section Interfacing to C++
 
@noindent
The interface to C++ makes use of the following pragmas, which are
primarily intended to be constructed automatically using a binding generator
tool, although it is possible to construct them by hand.  No suitable binding
generator tool is supplied with GNAT though.
 
Using these pragmas it is possible to achieve complete
inter-operability between Ada tagged types and C++ class definitions.
See @ref{Implementation Defined Pragmas}, for more details.
 
@table @code
@item pragma CPP_Class ([Entity =>] @var{LOCAL_NAME})
The argument denotes an entity in the current declarative region that is
declared as a tagged or untagged record type. It indicates that the type
corresponds to an externally declared C++ class type, and is to be laid
out the same way that C++ would lay out the type.
 
Note: Pragma @code{CPP_Class} is currently obsolete. It is supported
for backward compatibility but its functionality is available
using pragma @code{Import} with @code{Convention} = @code{CPP}.
 
@item pragma CPP_Constructor ([Entity =>] @var{LOCAL_NAME})
This pragma identifies an imported function (imported in the usual way
with pragma @code{Import}) as corresponding to a C++ constructor.
@end table
 
@node Interfacing to COBOL
@section Interfacing to COBOL
 
@noindent
Interfacing to COBOL is achieved as described in section B.4 of
the Ada Reference Manual.
 
@node Interfacing to Fortran
@section Interfacing to Fortran
 
@noindent
Interfacing to Fortran is achieved as described in section B.5 of the
Ada Reference Manual.  The pragma @code{Convention Fortran}, applied to a
multi-dimensional array causes the array to be stored in column-major
order as required for convenient interface to Fortran.
 
@node Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code
@section Interfacing to non-GNAT Ada code
 
It is possible to specify the convention @code{Ada} in a pragma
@code{Import} or pragma @code{Export}.  However this refers to
the calling conventions used by GNAT, which may or may not be
similar enough to those used by some other Ada 83 / Ada 95 / Ada 2005
compiler to allow interoperation.
 
If arguments types are kept simple, and if the foreign compiler generally
follows system calling conventions, then it may be possible to integrate
files compiled by other Ada compilers, provided that the elaboration
issues are adequately addressed (for example by eliminating the
need for any load time elaboration).
 
In particular, GNAT running on VMS is designed to
be highly compatible with the DEC Ada 83 compiler, so this is one
case in which it is possible to import foreign units of this type,
provided that the data items passed are restricted to simple scalar
values or simple record types without variants, or simple array
types with fixed bounds.
 
@node Specialized Needs Annexes
@chapter Specialized Needs Annexes
 
@noindent
Ada 95 and Ada 2005 define a number of Specialized Needs Annexes, which are not
required in all implementations.  However, as described in this chapter,
GNAT implements all of these annexes:
 
@table @asis
@item Systems Programming (Annex C)
The Systems Programming Annex is fully implemented.
 
@item Real-Time Systems (Annex D)
The Real-Time Systems Annex is fully implemented.
 
@item Distributed Systems (Annex E)
Stub generation is fully implemented in the GNAT compiler.  In addition,
a complete compatible PCS is available as part of the GLADE system,
a separate product.  When the two
products are used in conjunction, this annex is fully implemented.
 
@item Information Systems (Annex F)
The Information Systems annex is fully implemented.
 
@item Numerics (Annex G)
The Numerics Annex is fully implemented.
 
@item Safety and Security / High-Integrity Systems (Annex H)
The Safety and Security Annex (termed the High-Integrity Systems Annex
in Ada 2005) is fully implemented.
@end table
 
@node Implementation of Specific Ada Features
@chapter Implementation of Specific Ada Features
 
@noindent
This chapter describes the GNAT implementation of several Ada language
facilities.
 
@menu
* Machine Code Insertions::
* GNAT Implementation of Tasking::
* GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages::
* Code Generation for Array Aggregates::
* The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants::
* Strict Conformance to the Ada Reference Manual::
@end menu
 
@node Machine Code Insertions
@section Machine Code Insertions
@cindex Machine Code insertions
 
@noindent
Package @code{Machine_Code} provides machine code support as described
in the Ada Reference Manual in two separate forms:
@itemize @bullet
@item
Machine code statements, consisting of qualified expressions that
fit the requirements of RM section 13.8.
@item
An intrinsic callable procedure, providing an alternative mechanism of
including machine instructions in a subprogram.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
The two features are similar, and both are closely related to the mechanism
provided by the asm instruction in the GNU C compiler.  Full understanding
and use of the facilities in this package requires understanding the asm
instruction, see @ref{Extended Asm,, Assembler Instructions with C Expression
Operands, gcc, Using the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
 
Calls to the function @code{Asm} and the procedure @code{Asm} have identical
semantic restrictions and effects as described below.  Both are provided so
that the procedure call can be used as a statement, and the function call
can be used to form a code_statement.
 
The first example given in the GCC documentation is the C @code{asm}
instruction:
@smallexample
   asm ("fsinx %1 %0" : "=f" (result) : "f" (angle));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The equivalent can be written for GNAT as:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Asm ("fsinx %1 %0",
     My_Float'Asm_Output ("=f", result),
     My_Float'Asm_Input  ("f",  angle));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The first argument to @code{Asm} is the assembler template, and is
identical to what is used in GNU C@.  This string must be a static
expression.  The second argument is the output operand list.  It is
either a single @code{Asm_Output} attribute reference, or a list of such
references enclosed in parentheses (technically an array aggregate of
such references).
 
The @code{Asm_Output} attribute denotes a function that takes two
parameters.  The first is a string, the second is the name of a variable
of the type designated by the attribute prefix.  The first (string)
argument is required to be a static expression and designates the
constraint for the parameter (e.g.@: what kind of register is
required).  The second argument is the variable to be updated with the
result.  The possible values for constraint are the same as those used in
the RTL, and are dependent on the configuration file used to build the
GCC back end.  If there are no output operands, then this argument may
either be omitted, or explicitly given as @code{No_Output_Operands}.
 
The second argument of @code{@var{my_float}'Asm_Output} functions as
though it were an @code{out} parameter, which is a little curious, but
all names have the form of expressions, so there is no syntactic
irregularity, even though normally functions would not be permitted
@code{out} parameters.  The third argument is the list of input
operands.  It is either a single @code{Asm_Input} attribute reference, or
a list of such references enclosed in parentheses (technically an array
aggregate of such references).
 
The @code{Asm_Input} attribute denotes a function that takes two
parameters.  The first is a string, the second is an expression of the
type designated by the prefix.  The first (string) argument is required
to be a static expression, and is the constraint for the parameter,
(e.g.@: what kind of register is required).  The second argument is the
value to be used as the input argument.  The possible values for the
constant are the same as those used in the RTL, and are dependent on
the configuration file used to built the GCC back end.
 
If there are no input operands, this argument may either be omitted, or
explicitly given as @code{No_Input_Operands}.  The fourth argument, not
present in the above example, is a list of register names, called the
@dfn{clobber} argument.  This argument, if given, must be a static string
expression, and is a space or comma separated list of names of registers
that must be considered destroyed as a result of the @code{Asm} call.  If
this argument is the null string (the default value), then the code
generator assumes that no additional registers are destroyed.
 
The fifth argument, not present in the above example, called the
@dfn{volatile} argument, is by default @code{False}.  It can be set to
the literal value @code{True} to indicate to the code generator that all
optimizations with respect to the instruction specified should be
suppressed, and that in particular, for an instruction that has outputs,
the instruction will still be generated, even if none of the outputs are
used.  @xref{Extended Asm,, Assembler Instructions with C Expression Operands,
gcc, Using the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for the full description.
Generally it is strongly advisable to use Volatile for any ASM statement
that is missing either input or output operands, or when two or more ASM
statements appear in sequence, to avoid unwanted optimizations. A warning
is generated if this advice is not followed.
 
The @code{Asm} subprograms may be used in two ways.  First the procedure
forms can be used anywhere a procedure call would be valid, and
correspond to what the RM calls ``intrinsic'' routines.  Such calls can
be used to intersperse machine instructions with other Ada statements.
Second, the function forms, which return a dummy value of the limited
private type @code{Asm_Insn}, can be used in code statements, and indeed
this is the only context where such calls are allowed.  Code statements
appear as aggregates of the form:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Asm_Insn'(Asm (@dots{}));
Asm_Insn'(Asm_Volatile (@dots{}));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In accordance with RM rules, such code statements are allowed only
within subprograms whose entire body consists of such statements.  It is
not permissible to intermix such statements with other Ada statements.
 
Typically the form using intrinsic procedure calls is more convenient
and more flexible.  The code statement form is provided to meet the RM
suggestion that such a facility should be made available.  The following
is the exact syntax of the call to @code{Asm}. As usual, if named notation
is used, the arguments may be given in arbitrary order, following the
normal rules for use of positional and named arguments)
 
@smallexample
ASM_CALL ::= Asm (
                 [Template =>] static_string_EXPRESSION
               [,[Outputs  =>] OUTPUT_OPERAND_LIST      ]
               [,[Inputs   =>] INPUT_OPERAND_LIST       ]
               [,[Clobber  =>] static_string_EXPRESSION ]
               [,[Volatile =>] static_boolean_EXPRESSION] )
 
OUTPUT_OPERAND_LIST ::=
  [PREFIX.]No_Output_Operands
| OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE
| (OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE @{,OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE@})
 
OUTPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE ::=
  SUBTYPE_MARK'Asm_Output (static_string_EXPRESSION, NAME)
 
INPUT_OPERAND_LIST ::=
  [PREFIX.]No_Input_Operands
| INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE
| (INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE @{,INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE@})
 
INPUT_OPERAND_ATTRIBUTE ::=
  SUBTYPE_MARK'Asm_Input (static_string_EXPRESSION, EXPRESSION)
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The identifiers @code{No_Input_Operands} and @code{No_Output_Operands}
are declared in the package @code{Machine_Code} and must be referenced
according to normal visibility rules. In particular if there is no
@code{use} clause for this package, then appropriate package name
qualification is required.
 
@node GNAT Implementation of Tasking
@section GNAT Implementation of Tasking
 
@noindent
This chapter outlines the basic GNAT approach to tasking (in particular,
a multi-layered library for portability) and discusses issues related
to compliance with the Real-Time Systems Annex.
 
@menu
* Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads::
* Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex::
@end menu
 
@node Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads
@subsection Mapping Ada Tasks onto the Underlying Kernel Threads
 
@noindent
GNAT's run-time support comprises two layers:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item GNARL (GNAT Run-time Layer)
@item GNULL (GNAT Low-level Library)
@end itemize
 
@noindent
In GNAT, Ada's tasking services rely on a platform and OS independent
layer known as GNARL@.  This code is responsible for implementing the
correct semantics of Ada's task creation, rendezvous, protected
operations etc.
 
GNARL decomposes Ada's tasking semantics into simpler lower level
operations such as create a thread, set the priority of a thread,
yield, create a lock, lock/unlock, etc.  The spec for these low-level
operations constitutes GNULLI, the GNULL Interface.  This interface is
directly inspired from the POSIX real-time API@.
 
If the underlying executive or OS implements the POSIX standard
faithfully, the GNULL Interface maps as is to the services offered by
the underlying kernel.  Otherwise, some target dependent glue code maps
the services offered by the underlying kernel to the semantics expected
by GNARL@.
 
Whatever the underlying OS (VxWorks, UNIX, Windows, etc.) the
key point is that each Ada task is mapped on a thread in the underlying
kernel.  For example, in the case of VxWorks, one Ada task = one VxWorks task.
 
In addition Ada task priorities map onto the underlying thread priorities.
Mapping Ada tasks onto the underlying kernel threads has several advantages:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The underlying scheduler is used to schedule the Ada tasks.  This
makes Ada tasks as efficient as kernel threads from a scheduling
standpoint.
 
@item
Interaction with code written in C containing threads is eased
since at the lowest level Ada tasks and C threads map onto the same
underlying kernel concept.
 
@item
When an Ada task is blocked during I/O the remaining Ada tasks are
able to proceed.
 
@item
On multiprocessor systems Ada tasks can execute in parallel.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
Some threads libraries offer a mechanism to fork a new process, with the
child process duplicating the threads from the parent.
GNAT does not
support this functionality when the parent contains more than one task.
@cindex Forking a new process
 
@node Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex
@subsection Ensuring Compliance with the Real-Time Annex
@cindex Real-Time Systems Annex compliance
 
@noindent
Although mapping Ada tasks onto
the underlying threads has significant advantages, it does create some
complications when it comes to respecting the scheduling semantics
specified in the real-time annex (Annex D).
 
For instance the Annex D requirement for the @code{FIFO_Within_Priorities}
scheduling policy states:
 
@quotation
@emph{When the active priority of a ready task that is not running
changes, or the setting of its base priority takes effect, the
task is removed from the ready queue for its old active priority
and is added at the tail of the ready queue for its new active
priority, except in the case where the active priority is lowered
due to the loss of inherited priority, in which case the task is
added at the head of the ready queue for its new active priority.}
@end quotation
 
@noindent
While most kernels do put tasks at the end of the priority queue when
a task changes its priority, (which respects the main
FIFO_Within_Priorities requirement), almost none keep a thread at the
beginning of its priority queue when its priority drops from the loss
of inherited priority.
 
As a result most vendors have provided incomplete Annex D implementations.
 
The GNAT run-time, has a nice cooperative solution to this problem
which ensures that accurate FIFO_Within_Priorities semantics are
respected.
 
The principle is as follows.  When an Ada task T is about to start
running, it checks whether some other Ada task R with the same
priority as T has been suspended due to the loss of priority
inheritance.  If this is the case, T yields and is placed at the end of
its priority queue.  When R arrives at the front of the queue it
executes.
 
Note that this simple scheme preserves the relative order of the tasks
that were ready to execute in the priority queue where R has been
placed at the end.
 
@node GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages
@section GNAT Implementation of Shared Passive Packages
@cindex Shared passive packages
 
@noindent
GNAT fully implements the pragma @code{Shared_Passive} for
@cindex pragma @code{Shared_Passive}
the purpose of designating shared passive packages.
This allows the use of passive partitions in the
context described in the Ada Reference Manual; i.e., for communication
between separate partitions of a distributed application using the
features in Annex E.
@cindex Annex E
@cindex Distribution Systems Annex
 
However, the implementation approach used by GNAT provides for more
extensive usage as follows:
 
@table @emph
@item Communication between separate programs
 
This allows separate programs to access the data in passive
partitions, using protected objects for synchronization where
needed. The only requirement is that the two programs have a
common shared file system. It is even possible for programs
running on different machines with different architectures
(e.g.@: different endianness) to communicate via the data in
a passive partition.
 
@item Persistence between program runs
 
The data in a passive package can persist from one run of a
program to another, so that a later program sees the final
values stored by a previous run of the same program.
 
@end table
 
@noindent
The implementation approach used is to store the data in files. A
separate stream file is created for each object in the package, and
an access to an object causes the corresponding file to be read or
written.
 
The environment variable @code{SHARED_MEMORY_DIRECTORY} should be
@cindex @code{SHARED_MEMORY_DIRECTORY} environment variable
set to the directory to be used for these files.
The files in this directory
have names that correspond to their fully qualified names. For
example, if we have the package
 
@smallexample @c ada
package X is
  pragma Shared_Passive (X);
  Y : Integer;
  Z : Float;
end X;
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
and the environment variable is set to @code{/stemp/}, then the files created
will have the names:
 
@smallexample
/stemp/x.y
/stemp/x.z
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
These files are created when a value is initially written to the object, and
the files are retained until manually deleted. This provides the persistence
semantics. If no file exists, it means that no partition has assigned a value
to the variable; in this case the initial value declared in the package
will be used. This model ensures that there are no issues in synchronizing
the elaboration process, since elaboration of passive packages elaborates the
initial values, but does not create the files.
 
The files are written using normal @code{Stream_IO} access.
If you want to be able
to communicate between programs or partitions running on different
architectures, then you should use the XDR versions of the stream attribute
routines, since these are architecture independent.
 
If active synchronization is required for access to the variables in the
shared passive package, then as described in the Ada Reference Manual, the
package may contain protected objects used for this purpose. In this case
a lock file (whose name is @file{___lock} (three underscores)
is created in the shared memory directory.
@cindex @file{___lock} file (for shared passive packages)
This is used to provide the required locking
semantics for proper protected object synchronization.
 
As of January 2003, GNAT supports shared passive packages on all platforms
except for OpenVMS.
 
@node Code Generation for Array Aggregates
@section Code Generation for Array Aggregates
 
@menu
* Static constant aggregates with static bounds::
* Constant aggregates with unconstrained nominal types::
* Aggregates with static bounds::
* Aggregates with non-static bounds::
* Aggregates in assignment statements::
@end menu
 
@noindent
Aggregates have a rich syntax and allow the user to specify the values of
complex data structures by means of a single construct.  As a result, the
code generated for aggregates can be quite complex and involve loops, case
statements and multiple assignments.  In the simplest cases, however, the
compiler will recognize aggregates whose components and constraints are
fully static, and in those cases the compiler will generate little or no
executable code.  The following is an outline of the code that GNAT generates
for various aggregate constructs.  For further details, you will find it
useful to examine the output produced by the -gnatG flag to see the expanded
source that is input to the code generator.  You may also want to examine
the assembly code generated at various levels of optimization.
 
The code generated for aggregates depends on the context, the component values,
and the type.  In the context of an object declaration the code generated is
generally simpler than in the case of an assignment.  As a general rule, static
component values and static subtypes also lead to simpler code.
 
@node Static constant aggregates with static bounds
@subsection Static constant aggregates with static bounds
 
@noindent
For the declarations:
@smallexample @c ada
    type One_Dim is array (1..10) of integer;
    ar0 : constant One_Dim := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
GNAT generates no executable code: the constant ar0 is placed in static memory.
The same is true for constant aggregates with named associations:
 
@smallexample @c ada
    Cr1 : constant One_Dim := (4 => 16, 2 => 4, 3 => 9, 1 => 1, 5 .. 10 => 0);
    Cr3 : constant One_Dim := (others => 7777);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The same is true for multidimensional constant arrays such as:
 
@smallexample @c ada
    type two_dim is array (1..3, 1..3) of integer;
    Unit : constant two_dim := ( (1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
The same is true for arrays of one-dimensional arrays: the following are
static:
 
@smallexample @c ada
type ar1b  is array (1..3) of boolean;
type ar_ar is array (1..3) of ar1b;
None  : constant ar1b := (others => false);     --  fully static
None2 : constant ar_ar := (1..3 => None);       --  fully static
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
However, for multidimensional aggregates with named associations, GNAT will
generate assignments and loops, even if all associations are static.  The
following two declarations generate a loop for the first dimension, and
individual component assignments for the second dimension:
 
@smallexample @c ada
Zero1: constant two_dim := (1..3 => (1..3 => 0));
Zero2: constant two_dim := (others => (others => 0));
@end smallexample
 
@node Constant aggregates with unconstrained nominal types
@subsection Constant aggregates with unconstrained nominal types
 
@noindent
In such cases the aggregate itself establishes the subtype, so that
associations with @code{others} cannot be used.  GNAT determines the
bounds for the actual subtype of the aggregate, and allocates the
aggregate statically as well.  No code is generated for the following:
 
@smallexample @c ada
    type One_Unc is array (natural range <>) of integer;
    Cr_Unc : constant One_Unc := (12,24,36);
@end smallexample
 
@node Aggregates with static bounds
@subsection Aggregates with static bounds
 
@noindent
In all previous examples the aggregate was the initial (and immutable) value
of a constant.  If the aggregate initializes a variable, then code is generated
for it as a combination of individual assignments and loops over the target
object.  The declarations
 
@smallexample @c ada
       Cr_Var1 : One_Dim := (2, 5, 7, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);
       Cr_Var2 : One_Dim := (others > -1);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
generate the equivalent of
 
@smallexample @c ada
       Cr_Var1 (1) := 2;
       Cr_Var1 (2) := 3;
       Cr_Var1 (3) := 5;
       Cr_Var1 (4) := 11;
 
       for I in Cr_Var2'range loop
          Cr_Var2 (I) := -1;
       end loop;
@end smallexample
 
@node Aggregates with non-static bounds
@subsection Aggregates with non-static bounds
 
@noindent
If the bounds of the aggregate are not statically compatible with the bounds
of the nominal subtype  of the target, then constraint checks have to be
generated on the bounds.  For a multidimensional array, constraint checks may
have to be applied to sub-arrays individually, if they do not have statically
compatible subtypes.
 
@node Aggregates in assignment statements
@subsection Aggregates in assignment statements
 
@noindent
In general, aggregate assignment requires the construction of a temporary,
and a copy from the temporary to the target of the assignment.  This is because
it is not always possible to convert the assignment into a series of individual
component assignments.  For example, consider the simple case:
 
@smallexample @c ada
        A := (A(2), A(1));
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
This cannot be converted into:
 
@smallexample @c ada
        A(1) := A(2);
        A(2) := A(1);
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
So the aggregate has to be built first in a separate location, and then
copied into the target.  GNAT recognizes simple cases where this intermediate
step is not required, and the assignments can be performed in place, directly
into the target.  The following sufficient criteria are applied:
 
@itemize @bullet
@item
The bounds of the aggregate are static, and the associations are static.
@item
The components of the aggregate are static constants, names of
simple variables that are not renamings, or expressions not involving
indexed components whose operands obey these rules.
@end itemize
 
@noindent
If any of these conditions are violated, the aggregate will be built in
a temporary (created either by the front-end or the code generator) and then
that temporary will be copied onto the target.
 
@node The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants
@section The Size of Discriminated Records with Default Discriminants
 
@noindent
If a discriminated type @code{T} has discriminants with default values, it is
possible to declare an object of this type without providing an explicit
constraint:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@group
type Size is range 1..100;
 
type Rec (D : Size := 15) is record
   Name : String (1..D);
end T;
 
Word : Rec;
@end group
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
Such an object is said to be @emph{unconstrained}.
The discriminant of the object
can be modified by a full assignment to the object, as long as it preserves the
relation between the value of the discriminant, and the value of the components
that depend on it:
 
@smallexample @c ada
@group
Word := (3, "yes");
 
Word := (5, "maybe");
 
Word := (5, "no"); -- raises Constraint_Error
@end group
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
In order to support this behavior efficiently, an unconstrained object is
given the maximum size that any value of the type requires. In the case
above, @code{Word} has storage for the discriminant and for
a @code{String} of length 100.
It is important to note that unconstrained objects do not require dynamic
allocation. It would be an improper implementation to place on the heap those
components whose size depends on discriminants. (This improper implementation
was used by some Ada83 compilers, where the @code{Name} component above
would have
been stored as a pointer to a dynamic string). Following the principle that
dynamic storage management should never be introduced implicitly,
an Ada compiler should reserve the full size for an unconstrained declared
object, and place it on the stack.
 
This maximum size approach
has been a source of surprise to some users, who expect the default
values of the discriminants to determine the size reserved for an
unconstrained object: ``If the default is 15, why should the object occupy
a larger size?''
The answer, of course, is that the discriminant may be later modified,
and its full range of values must be taken into account. This is why the
declaration:
 
@smallexample
@group
type Rec (D : Positive := 15) is record
   Name : String (1..D);
end record;
 
Too_Large : Rec;
@end group
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
is flagged by the compiler with a warning:
an attempt to create @code{Too_Large} will raise @code{Storage_Error},
because the required size includes @code{Positive'Last}
bytes. As the first example indicates, the proper approach is to declare an
index type of ``reasonable'' range so that unconstrained objects are not too
large.
 
One final wrinkle: if the object is declared to be @code{aliased}, or if it is
created in the heap by means of an allocator, then it is @emph{not}
unconstrained:
it is constrained by the default values of the discriminants, and those values
cannot be modified by full assignment. This is because in the presence of
aliasing all views of the object (which may be manipulated by different tasks,
say) must be consistent, so it is imperative that the object, once created,
remain invariant.
 
@node Strict Conformance to the Ada Reference Manual
@section Strict Conformance to the Ada Reference Manual
 
@noindent
The dynamic semantics defined by the Ada Reference Manual impose a set of
run-time checks to be generated. By default, the GNAT compiler will insert many
run-time checks into the compiled code, including most of those required by the
Ada Reference Manual. However, there are three checks that are not enabled
in the default mode for efficiency reasons: arithmetic overflow checking for
integer operations (including division by zero), checks for access before
elaboration on subprogram calls, and stack overflow checking (most operating
systems do not perform this check by default).
 
Strict conformance to the Ada Reference Manual can be achieved by adding
three compiler options for overflow checking for integer operations
(@option{-gnato}), dynamic checks for access-before-elaboration on subprogram
calls and generic instantiations (@option{-gnatE}), and stack overflow
checking (@option{-fstack-check}).
 
Note that the result of a floating point arithmetic operation in overflow and
invalid situations, when the @code{Machine_Overflows} attribute of the result
type is @code{False}, is to generate IEEE NaN and infinite values. This is the
case for machines compliant with the IEEE floating-point standard, but on
machines that are not fully compliant with this standard, such as Alpha, the
@option{-mieee} compiler flag must be used for achieving IEEE confirming
behavior (although at the cost of a significant performance penalty), so
infinite and NaN values are properly generated.
 
 
@node Implementation of Ada 2012 Features
@chapter Implementation of Ada 2012 Features
@cindex Ada 2012 implementation status
 
This chapter contains a complete list of Ada 2012 features that have been
implemented as of GNAT version 6.4. Generally, these features are only
available if the @option{-gnat12} (Ada 2012 features enabled) flag is set
@cindex @option{-gnat12} option
or if the configuration pragma @code{Ada_2012} is used.
@cindex pragma @code{Ada_2012}
@cindex configuration pragma @code{Ada_2012}
@cindex @code{Ada_2012} configuration pragma
However, new pragmas, attributes, and restrictions are
unconditionally available, since the Ada 95 standard allows the addition of
new pragmas, attributes, and restrictions (there are exceptions, which are
documented in the individual descriptions), and also certain packages
were made available in earlier versions of Ada.
 
An ISO date (YYYY-MM-DD) appears in parentheses on the description line.
This date shows the implementation date of the feature. Any wavefront
subsequent to this date will contain the indicated feature, as will any
subsequent releases. A date of 0000-00-00 means that GNAT has always
implemented the feature, or implemented it as soon as it appeared as a
binding interpretation.
 
Each feature corresponds to an Ada Issue (``AI'') approved by the Ada
standardization group (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9) for inclusion in Ada 2012.
The features are ordered based on the relevant sections of the Ada
Reference Manual (``RM'').  When a given AI relates to multiple points
in the RM, the earliest is used.
 
A complete description of the AIs may be found in
@url{www.ada-auth.org/ai05-summary.html}.
 
@itemize @bullet
 
@item
@emph{AI-0176 Quantified expressions (2010-09-29)}
@cindex AI-0176 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Both universally and existentially quantified expressions are implemented.
  They use the new syntax for iterators proposed in AI05-139-2, as well as
  the standard Ada loop syntax.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  1.01.04 (12)   2.09 (2/2)   4.04 (7)   4.05.09 (0)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0079 Allow @i{other_format} characters in source (2010-07-10)}
@cindex AI-0079 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Wide characters in the unicode category @i{other_format} are now allowed in
  source programs between tokens, but not within a token such as an identifier.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  2.01 (4/2)   2.02 (7)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0091 Do not allow @i{other_format} in identifiers (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0091 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Wide characters in the unicode category @i{other_format} are not permitted
  within  an identifier, since this can be a security problem. The error
  message for this case has been improved to be more specific, but GNAT has
  never allowed such characters to appear in identifiers.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  2.03 (3.1/2)   2.03 (4/2)   2.03 (5/2)   2.03 (5.1/2)   2.03 (5.2/2)   2.03 (5.3/2)   2.09 (2/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0100 Placement of pragmas  (2010-07-01)}
@cindex AI-0100 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI is an earlier version of AI-163. It simplifies the rules
  for legal placement of pragmas. In the case of lists that allow pragmas, if
  the list may have no elements, then the list may consist solely of pragmas.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  2.08 (7)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0163 Pragmas in place of null (2010-07-01)}
@cindex AI-0163 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A statement sequence may be composed entirely of pragmas. It is no longer
  necessary to add a dummy @code{null} statement to make the sequence legal.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  2.08 (7)   2.08 (16)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0080 ``View of'' not needed if clear from context (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0080 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an editorial change only, described as non-testable in the AI.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.01 (7)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0183 Aspect specifications (2010-08-16)}
@cindex AI-0183 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Aspect specifications have been fully implemented except for pre and post-
  conditions, and type invariants, which have their own separate AI's. All
  forms of declarations listed in the AI are supported. The following is a
  list of the aspects supported (with GNAT implementation aspects marked)
 
@multitable {@code{Preelaborable_Initialization}} {--GNAT}
@item @code{Ada_2005} @tab                      -- GNAT
@item @code{Ada_2012} @tab                      -- GNAT
@item @code{Address} @tab
@item @code{Alignment} @tab
@item @code{Atomic} @tab
@item @code{Atomic_Components} @tab
@item @code{Bit_Order} @tab
@item @code{Component_Size} @tab
@item @code{Discard_Names} @tab
@item @code{External_Tag} @tab
@item @code{Favor_Top_Level} @tab               -- GNAT
@item @code{Inline} @tab
@item @code{Inline_Always} @tab                 -- GNAT
@item @code{Invariant} @tab
@item @code{Machine_Radix} @tab
@item @code{No_Return} @tab
@item @code{Object_Size} @tab                   -- GNAT
@item @code{Pack} @tab
@item @code{Persistent_BSS} @tab                -- GNAT
@item @code{Post} @tab
@item @code{Pre} @tab
@item @code{Predicate} @tab
@item @code{Preelaborable_Initialization} @tab
@item @code{Pure_Function} @tab                 -- GNAT
@item @code{Remote_Access_Type} @tab            -- GNAT
@item @code{Shared} @tab                        -- GNAT
@item @code{Size} @tab
@item @code{Storage_Pool} @tab
@item @code{Storage_Size} @tab
@item @code{Stream_Size} @tab
@item @code{Suppress} @tab
@item @code{Suppress_Debug_Info} @tab           -- GNAT
@item @code{Test_Case} @tab                     -- GNAT
@item @code{Unchecked_Union} @tab
@item @code{Universal_Aliasing} @tab            -- GNAT
@item @code{Unmodified} @tab                    -- GNAT
@item @code{Unreferenced} @tab                  -- GNAT
@item @code{Unreferenced_Objects} @tab          -- GNAT
@item @code{Unsuppress} @tab
@item @code{Value_Size} @tab                    -- GNAT
@item @code{Volatile} @tab
@item @code{Volatile_Components}
@item @code{Warnings} @tab                      -- GNAT
@end multitable
 
@noindent
  Note that for aspects with an expression, e.g. @code{Size}, the expression is
  treated like a default expression (visibility is analyzed at the point of
  occurrence of the aspect, but evaluation of the expression occurs at the
  freeze point of the entity involved.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.02.01 (3)   3.02.02 (2)   3.03.01 (2/2)   3.08 (6)
  3.09.03 (1.1/2)   6.01 (2/2)   6.07 (2/2)   9.05.02 (2/2)   7.01 (3)   7.03
  (2)   7.03 (3)   9.01 (2/2)   9.01 (3/2)   9.04 (2/2)   9.04 (3/2)
  9.05.02 (2/2)   11.01 (2)   12.01 (3)   12.03 (2/2)   12.04 (2/2)   12.05 (2)
  12.06 (2.1/2)   12.06 (2.2/2)   12.07 (2)   13.01 (0.1/2)   13.03 (5/1)
  13.03.01 (0)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0128 Inequality is a primitive operation (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0128 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  If an equality operator ("=") is declared for a type, then the implicitly
  declared inequality operator ("/=") is a primitive operation of the type.
  This is the only reasonable interpretation, and is the one always implemented
  by GNAT, but the RM was not entirely clear in making this point.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.02.03 (6)   6.06 (6)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0003 Qualified expressions as names (2010-07-11)}
@cindex AI-0003 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
   In Ada 2012, a qualified expression is considered to be syntactically a name,
   meaning that constructs such as @code{A'(F(X)).B} are now legal. This is
   useful in disambiguating some cases of overloading.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.03 (11)   3.03 (21)   4.01 (2)   4.04 (7)   4.07 (3)
  5.04 (7)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0120 Constant instance of protected object (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0120 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an RM editorial change only. The section that lists objects that are
  constant failed to include the current instance of a protected object
  within a protected function. This has always been treated as a constant
  in GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.03 (21)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0008 General access to constrained objects (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0008 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The wording in the RM implied that if you have a general access to a
  constrained object, it could be used to modify the discriminants. This was
  obviously not intended. @code{Constraint_Error} should be raised, and GNAT
  has always done so in this situation.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.03 (23)   3.10.02 (26/2)   4.01 (9)   6.04.01 (17)   8.05.01 (5/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0093 Additional rules use immutably limited (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0093 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an editorial change only, to make more widespread use of the Ada 2012
  ``immutably limited''.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.03 (23.4/3)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0096 Deriving from formal private types (2010-07-20)}
@cindex AI-0096 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  In general it is illegal for a type derived from a formal limited type to be
  nonlimited.  This AI makes an exception to this rule: derivation is legal
  if it appears in the private part of the generic, and the formal type is not
  tagged. If the type is tagged, the legality check must be applied to the
  private part of the package.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.04 (5.1/2)   6.02 (7)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0181 Soft hyphen is a non-graphic character (2010-07-23)}
@cindex AI-0181 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  From Ada 2005 on, soft hyphen is considered a non-graphic character, which
  means that it has a special name (@code{SOFT_HYPHEN}) in conjunction with the
  @code{Image} and @code{Value} attributes for the character types. Strictly
  speaking this is an inconsistency with Ada 95, but in practice the use of
  these attributes is so obscure that it will not cause problems.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.05.02 (2/2)   A.01 (35/2)   A.03.03 (21)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0182 Additional forms for @code{Character'Value} (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0182 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI allows @code{Character'Value} to accept the string @code{'?'} where
  @code{?} is any character including non-graphic control characters. GNAT has
  always accepted such strings. It also allows strings such as
  @code{HEX_00000041} to be accepted, but GNAT does not take advantage of this
  permission and raises @code{Constraint_Error}, as is certainly still
  permitted.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.05 (56/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0214 Defaulted discriminants for limited tagged (2010-10-01)}
@cindex AI-0214 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Ada 2012 relaxes the restriction that forbids discriminants of tagged types
  to have default expressions by allowing them when the type is limited. It
  is often useful to define a default value for a discriminant even though
  it can't be changed by assignment.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.07 (9.1/2)   3.07.02 (3)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0102 Some implicit conversions are illegal (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0102 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  It is illegal to assign an anonymous access constant to an anonymous access
  variable. The RM did not have a clear rule to prevent this, but GNAT has
  always generated an error for this usage.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.07 (16)   3.07.01 (9)   6.04.01 (6)   8.06 (27/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0158 Generalizing membership tests (2010-09-16)}
@cindex AI-0158 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI extends the syntax of membership tests to simplify complex conditions
  that can be expressed as membership in a subset of values of any type. It
  introduces syntax for a list of expressions that may be used in loop contexts
  as well.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.08.01 (5)   4.04 (3)   4.05.02 (3)   4.05.02 (5)   4.05.02 (27)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0173 Testing if tags represent abstract types (2010-07-03)}
@cindex AI-0173 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The function @code{Ada.Tags.Type_Is_Abstract} returns @code{True} if invoked
  with the tag of an abstract type, and @code{False} otherwise.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09 (7.4/2)   3.09 (12.4/2)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0076 function with controlling result (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0076 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an editorial change only. The RM defines calls with controlling
  results, but uses the term ``function with controlling result'' without an
  explicit definition.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.02 (2/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0126 Dispatching with no declared operation (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0126 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies dispatching rules, and simply confirms that dispatching
  executes the operation of the parent type when there is no explicitly or
  implicitly declared operation for the descendant type. This has always been
  the case in all versions of GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.02 (20/2)   3.09.02 (20.1/2)   3.09.02 (20.2/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0097 Treatment of abstract null extension (2010-07-19)}
@cindex AI-0097 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM as written implied that in some cases it was possible to create an
  object of an abstract type, by having an abstract extension inherit a non-
  abstract constructor from its parent type. This mistake has been corrected
  in GNAT and in the RM, and this construct is now illegal.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.03 (4/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0203 Extended return cannot be abstract (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0203 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A return_subtype_indication cannot denote an abstract subtype. GNAT has never
  permitted such usage.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.03 (8/3)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0198 Inheriting abstract operators  (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0198 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI resolves a conflict between two rules involving inherited abstract
  operations and predefined operators. If a derived numeric type inherits
  an abstract operator, it overrides the predefined one. This interpretation
  was always the one implemented in GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.03 (4/3)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0073 Functions returning abstract types (2010-07-10)}
@cindex AI-0073 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI covers a number of issues regarding returning abstract types. In
  particular generic functions cannot have abstract result types or access
  result types designated an abstract type. There are some other cases which
  are detailed in the AI. Note that this binding interpretation has not been
  retrofitted to operate before Ada 2012 mode, since it caused a significant
  number of regressions.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.03 (8)   3.09.03 (10)   6.05 (8/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0070 Elaboration of interface types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0070 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an editorial change only, there are no testable consequences short of
  checking for the absence of generated code for an interface declaration.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.09.04 (18/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0208 Characteristics of incomplete views (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0208 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The wording in the Ada 2005 RM concerning characteristics of incomplete views
  was incorrect and implied that some programs intended to be legal were now
  illegal. GNAT had never considered such programs illegal, so it has always
  implemented the intent of this AI.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.10.01 (2.4/2)   3.10.01 (2.6/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0162 Incomplete type completed by partial view (2010-09-15)}
@cindex AI-0162 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Incomplete types are made more useful by allowing them to be completed by
  private types and private extensions.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.10.01 (2.5/2)   3.10.01 (2.6/2)   3.10.01 (3)   3.10.01 (4/2)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0098 Anonymous subprogram access restrictions (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0098 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  An unintentional omission in the RM implied some inconsistent restrictions on
  the use of anonymous access to subprogram values. These restrictions were not
  intentional, and have never been enforced by GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  3.10.01 (6)   3.10.01 (9.2/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0199 Aggregate with anonymous access components (2010-07-14)}
@cindex AI-0199 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A choice list in a record aggregate can include several components of
  (distinct) anonymous access types as long as they have matching designated
  subtypes.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.03.01 (16)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0220 Needed components for aggregates (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0220 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI addresses a wording problem in the RM that appears to permit some
  complex cases of aggregates with non-static discriminants. GNAT has always
  implemented the intended semantics.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.03.01 (17)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0147 Conditional expressions (2009-03-29)}
@cindex AI-0147 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Conditional expressions are permitted. The form of such an expression is:
 
@smallexample
    (@b{if} @i{expr} @b{then} @i{expr} @{@b{elsif} @i{expr} @b{then} @i{expr}@} [@b{else} @i{expr}])
@end smallexample
 
  The parentheses can be omitted in contexts where parentheses are present
  anyway, such as subprogram arguments and pragma arguments. If the @b{else}
  clause is omitted, @b{else True} is assumed;
  thus @code{(@b{if} A @b{then} B)} is a way to conveniently represent
  @emph{(A implies B)} in standard logic.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.03.03 (15)   4.04 (1)   4.04 (7)   4.05.07 (0)   4.07 (2)
  4.07 (3)   4.09 (12)   4.09 (33)   5.03 (3)   5.03 (4)   7.05 (2.1/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0037 Out-of-range box associations in aggregate (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0037 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI confirms that an association of the form @code{Indx => <>} in an
  array aggregate must raise @code{Constraint_Error} if @code{Indx}
  is out of range. The RM specified a range check on other associations, but
  not when the value of the association was defaulted. GNAT has always inserted
  a constraint check on the index value.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.03.03 (29)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0123 Composability of equality (2010-04-13)}
@cindex AI-0123 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Equality of untagged record composes, so that the predefined equality for a
  composite type that includes a component of some untagged record type
  @code{R} uses the equality operation of @code{R} (which may be user-defined
  or predefined). This makes the behavior of untagged records identical to that
  of tagged types in this respect.
 
  This change is an incompatibility with previous versions of Ada, but it
  corrects a non-uniformity that was often a source of confusion. Analysis of
  a large number of industrial programs indicates that in those rare cases
  where a composite type had an untagged record component with a user-defined
  equality, either there was no use of the composite equality, or else the code
  expected the same composability as for tagged types, and thus had a bug that
  would be fixed by this change.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.05.02 (9.7/2)   4.05.02 (14)   4.05.02 (15)   4.05.02 (24)
  8.05.04 (8)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0088 The value of exponentiation (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0088 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the equivalence rule given for the dynamic semantics of
  exponentiation: the value of the operation can be obtained by repeated
  multiplication, but the operation can be implemented otherwise (for example
  using the familiar divide-by-two-and-square algorithm, even if this is less
  accurate), and does not imply repeated reads of a volatile base.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.05.06 (11)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0188 Case expressions (2010-01-09)}
@cindex AI-0188 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Case expressions are permitted. This allows use of constructs such as:
@smallexample
  X := (@b{case} Y @b{is when} 1 => 2, @b{when} 2 => 3, @b{when others} => 31)
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.05.07 (0)   4.05.08 (0)   4.09 (12)   4.09 (33)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0104 Null exclusion and uninitialized allocator (2010-07-15)}
@cindex AI-0104 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The assignment @code{Ptr := @b{new not null} Some_Ptr;} will raise
  @code{Constraint_Error} because the default value of the allocated object is
  @b{null}. This useless construct is illegal in Ada 2012.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.08 (2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0157 Allocation/Deallocation from empty pool (2010-07-11)}
@cindex AI-0157 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Allocation and Deallocation from an empty storage pool (i.e. allocation or
  deallocation of a pointer for which a static storage size clause of zero
  has been given) is now illegal and is detected as such. GNAT
  previously gave a warning but not an error.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  4.08 (5.3/2)   13.11.02 (4)   13.11.02 (17)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0179 Statement not required after label (2010-04-10)}
@cindex AI-0179 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  It is not necessary to have a statement following a label, so a label
  can appear at the end of a statement sequence without the need for putting a
  null statement afterwards, but it is not allowable to have only labels and
  no real statements in a statement sequence.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  5.01 (2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-139-2 Syntactic sugar for iterators (2010-09-29)}
@cindex AI-139-2 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The new syntax for iterating over arrays and containers is now implemented.
  Iteration over containers is for now limited to read-only iterators. Only
  default iterators are supported, with the syntax:  @code{@b{for} Elem @b{of} C}.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  5.05
 
@item
@emph{AI-0134 Profiles must match for full conformance (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0134 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  For full conformance, the profiles of anonymous-access-to-subprogram
  parameters must match. GNAT has always enforced this rule.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.03.01 (18)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0207 Mode conformance and access constant (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0207 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI confirms that access_to_constant indication must match for mode
  conformance. This was implemented in GNAT when the qualifier was originally
  introduced in Ada 2005.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.03.01 (16/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0046 Null exclusion match for full conformance (2010-07-17)}
@cindex AI-0046 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  For full conformance, in the case of access parameters, the null exclusion
  must match (either both or neither must have @code{@b{not null}}).
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.03.02 (18)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0118 The association of parameter associations (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0118 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the rules for named associations in subprogram calls and
  generic instantiations. The rules have been in place since Ada 83.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.04.01 (2)   12.03 (9)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0196 Null exclusion tests for out parameters (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0196 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Null exclusion checks are not made for @code{@b{out}} parameters when
  evaluating the actual parameters. GNAT has never generated these checks.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.04.01 (13)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0015 Constant return objects (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0015 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The return object declared in an @i{extended_return_statement} may be
  declared constant. This was always intended, and GNAT has always allowed it.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.05 (2.1/2)   3.03 (10/2)   3.03 (21)   6.05 (5/2)
  6.05 (5.7/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0032 Extended return for class-wide functions (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0032 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  If a function returns a class-wide type, the object of an extended return
  statement can be declared with a specific type that is covered by the class-
  wide type. This has been implemented in GNAT since the introduction of
  extended returns. Note AI-0103 complements this AI by imposing matching
  rules for constrained return types.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.05 (5.2/2)   6.05 (5.3/2)   6.05 (5.6/2)   6.05 (5.8/2)
  6.05 (8/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0103 Static matching for extended return (2010-07-23)}
@cindex AI-0103 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  If the return subtype of a function is an elementary type or a constrained
  type, the subtype indication in an extended return statement must match
  statically this return subtype.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.05 (5.2/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0058 Abnormal completion of an extended return (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0058 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM had some incorrect wording implying wrong treatment of abnormal
  completion in an extended return. GNAT has always implemented the intended
  correct semantics as described by this AI.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.05 (22/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0050 Raising Constraint_Error early for function call (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0050 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The implementation permissions for raising @code{Constraint_Error} early on a function call when it was clear an exception would be raised were over-permissive and allowed mishandling of discriminants in some cases. GNAT did
  not take advantage of these incorrect permissions in any case.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  6.05 (24/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0125 Nonoverridable operations of an ancestor (2010-09-28)}
@cindex AI-0125 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  In Ada 2012, the declaration of a primitive operation of a type extension
  or private extension can also override an inherited primitive that is not
  visible at the point of this declaration.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.03.01 (6)   8.03 (23)   8.03.01 (5/2)   8.03.01 (6/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0062 Null exclusions and deferred constants (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0062 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A full constant may have a null exclusion even if its associated deferred
  constant does not. GNAT has always allowed this.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.04 (6/2)   7.04 (7.1/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0178 Incomplete views are limited (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0178 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the role of incomplete views and plugs an omission in the
  RM. GNAT always correctly restricted the use of incomplete views and types.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.05 (3/2)   7.05 (6/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0087 Actual for formal nonlimited derived type (2010-07-15)}
@cindex AI-0087 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The actual for a formal nonlimited derived type cannot be limited. In
  particular, a formal derived type that extends a limited interface but which
  is not explicitly limited cannot be instantiated with a limited type.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.05 (5/2)   12.05.01 (5.1/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0099 Tag determines whether finalization needed (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0099 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies that ``needs finalization'' is part of dynamic semantics,
  and therefore depends on the run-time characteristics of an object (i.e. its
  tag) and not on its nominal type. As the AI indicates: ``we do not expect
  this to affect any implementation''.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.06.01 (6)   7.06.01 (7)   7.06.01 (8)   7.06.01 (9/2)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0064 Redundant finalization rule (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0064 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is an editorial change only. The intended behavior is already checked
  by an existing ACATS test, which GNAT has always executed correctly.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.06.01 (17.1/1)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0026 Missing rules for Unchecked_Union (2010-07-07)}
@cindex AI-0026 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Record representation clauses concerning Unchecked_Union types cannot mention
  the discriminant of the type. The type of a component declared in the variant
  part of an Unchecked_Union cannot be controlled, have controlled components,
  nor have protected or task parts. If an Unchecked_Union type is declared
  within the body of a generic unit or its descendants, then the type of a
  component declared in the variant part cannot be a formal private type or a
  formal private extension declared within the same generic unit.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  7.06 (9.4/2)   B.03.03 (9/2)   B.03.03 (10/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0205 Extended return declares visible name (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0205 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI corrects a simple omission in the RM. Return objects have always
  been visible within an extended return statement.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  8.03 (17)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0042 Overriding versus implemented-by (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0042 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI fixes a wording gap in the RM. An operation of a synchronized
  interface can be implemented by a protected or task entry, but the abstract
  operation is not being overridden in the usual sense, and it must be stated
  separately that this implementation is legal. This has always been the case
  in GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  9.01 (9.2/2)   9.04 (11.1/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0030 Requeue on synchronized interfaces (2010-07-19)}
@cindex AI-0030 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Requeue is permitted to a protected, synchronized or task interface primitive
  providing it is known that the overriding operation is an entry. Otherwise
  the requeue statement has the same effect as a procedure call. Use of pragma
  @code{Implemented} provides a way to impose a static requirement on the
  overriding operation by adhering to one of the implementation kinds: entry,
  protected procedure or any of the above.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  9.05 (9)   9.05.04 (2)   9.05.04 (3)   9.05.04 (5)
  9.05.04 (6)   9.05.04 (7)   9.05.04 (12)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0201 Independence of atomic object components (2010-07-22)}
@cindex AI-0201 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  If an Atomic object has a pragma @code{Pack} or a @code{Component_Size}
  attribute, then individual components may not be addressable by independent
  tasks. However, if the representation clause has no effect (is confirming),
  then independence is not compromised. Furthermore, in GNAT, specification of
  other appropriately addressable component sizes (e.g. 16 for 8-bit
  characters) also preserves independence. GNAT now gives very clear warnings
  both for the declaration of such a type, and for any assignment to its components.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  9.10 (1/3)   C.06 (22/2)   C.06 (23/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0009 Pragma Independent[_Components] (2010-07-23)}
@cindex AI-0009 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI introduces the new pragmas @code{Independent} and
  @code{Independent_Components},
  which control guaranteeing independence of access to objects and components.
  The AI also requires independence not unaffected by confirming rep clauses.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  9.10 (1)   13.01 (15/1)   13.02 (9)   13.03 (13)   C.06 (2)
  C.06 (4)   C.06 (6)   C.06 (9)   C.06 (13)   C.06 (14)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0072 Task signalling using 'Terminated (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0072 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies that task signalling for reading @code{'Terminated} only
  occurs if the result is True. GNAT semantics has always been consistent with
  this notion of task signalling.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  9.10 (6.1/1)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0108 Limited incomplete view and discriminants (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0108 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI confirms that an incomplete type from a limited view does not have
  discriminants. This has always been the case in GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.01 (12.3/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0129 Limited views and incomplete types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0129 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the description of limited views: a limited view of a
  package includes only one view of a type that has an incomplete declaration
  and a full declaration (there is no possible ambiguity in a client package).
  This AI also fixes an omission: a nested package in the private part has no
  limited view. GNAT always implemented this correctly.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.01 (12.2/2)   10.01.01 (12.3/2)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0077 Limited withs and scope of declarations (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0077 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies that a declaration does not include a context clause,
  and confirms that it is illegal to have a context in which both a limited
  and a nonlimited view of a package are accessible. Such double visibility
  was always rejected by GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.02 (12/2)   10.01.02 (21/2)   10.01.02 (22/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0122 Private with and children of generics (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0122 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the visibility of private children of generic units within
  instantiations of a parent. GNAT has always handled this correctly.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.02 (12/2)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0040 Limited with clauses on descendant (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0040 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI confirms that a limited with clause in a child unit cannot name
  an ancestor of the unit. This has always been checked in GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.02 (20/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0132 Placement of library unit pragmas (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0132 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI fills a gap in the description of library unit pragmas. The pragma
  clearly must apply to a library unit, even if it does not carry the name
  of the enclosing unit. GNAT has always enforced the required check.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.01.05 (7)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0034 Categorization of limited views (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0034 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM makes certain limited with clauses illegal because of categorization
  considerations, when the corresponding normal with would be legal. This is
  not intended, and GNAT has always implemented the recommended behavior.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.02.01 (11/1)   10.02.01 (17/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0035 Inconsistencies with Pure units (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0035 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI remedies some inconsistencies in the legality rules for Pure units.
  Derived access types are legal in a pure unit (on the assumption that the
  rule for a zero storage pool size has been enforced on the ancestor type).
  The rules are enforced in generic instances and in subunits. GNAT has always
  implemented the recommended behavior.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.02.01 (15.1/2)   10.02.01 (15.4/2)   10.02.01 (15.5/2)   10.02.01 (17/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0219 Pure permissions and limited parameters (2010-05-25)}
@cindex AI-0219 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI refines the rules for the cases with limited parameters which do not
  allow the implementations to omit ``redundant''. GNAT now properly conforms
  to the requirements of this binding interpretation.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  10.02.01 (18/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0043 Rules about raising exceptions (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0043 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI covers various omissions in the RM regarding the raising of
  exceptions. GNAT has always implemented the intended semantics.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  11.04.01 (10.1/2)   11 (2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0200 Mismatches in formal package declarations (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0200 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI plugs a gap in the RM which appeared to allow some obviously intended
  illegal instantiations. GNAT has never allowed these instantiations.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  12.07 (16)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0112 Detection of duplicate pragmas (2010-07-24)}
@cindex AI-0112 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI concerns giving names to various representation aspects, but the
  practical effect is simply to make the use of duplicate
  @code{Atomic}[@code{_Components}],
  @code{Volatile}[@code{_Components}] and
  @code{Independent}[@code{_Components}] pragmas illegal, and GNAT
  now performs this required check.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.01 (8)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0106 No representation pragmas on generic formals (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0106 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM appeared to allow representation pragmas on generic formal parameters,
  but this was not intended, and GNAT has never permitted this usage.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.01 (9.1/1)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0012 Pack/Component_Size for aliased/atomic (2010-07-15)}
@cindex AI-0012 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  It is now illegal to give an inappropriate component size or a pragma
  @code{Pack} that attempts to change the component size in the case of atomic
  or aliased components. Previously GNAT ignored such an attempt with a
  warning.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.02 (6.1/2)   13.02 (7)   C.06 (10)   C.06 (11)   C.06 (21)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0039 Stream attributes cannot be dynamic (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0039 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM permitted the use of dynamic expressions (such as @code{ptr.@b{all})}
  for stream attributes, but these were never useful and are now illegal. GNAT
  has always regarded such expressions as illegal.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.03 (4)   13.03 (6)   13.13.02 (38/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0095 Address of intrinsic subprograms (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0095 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The prefix of @code{'Address} cannot statically denote a subprogram with
  convention @code{Intrinsic}. The use of the @code{Address} attribute raises
  @code{Program_Error} if the prefix denotes a subprogram with convention
  @code{Intrinsic}.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.03 (11/1)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0116 Alignment of class-wide objects (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0116 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI requires that the alignment of a class-wide object be no greater
  than the alignment of any type in the class. GNAT has always followed this
  recommendation.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.03 (29)   13.11 (16)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0146 Type invariants (2009-09-21)}
@cindex AI-0146 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Type invariants may be specified for private types using the aspect notation.
  Aspect @code{Invariant} may be specified for any private type,
  @code{Invariant'Class} can
  only be specified for tagged types, and is inherited by any descendent of the
  tagged types. The invariant is a boolean expression that is tested for being
  true in the following situations: conversions to the private type, object
  declarations for the private type that are default initialized, and
  [@b{in}] @b{out}
  parameters and returned result on return from any primitive operation for
  the type that is visible to a client.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.03.03 (00)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0078 Relax Unchecked_Conversion alignment rules (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0078 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  In Ada 2012, compilers are required to support unchecked conversion where the
  target alignment is a multiple of the source alignment. GNAT always supported
  this case (and indeed all cases of differing alignments, doing copies where
  required if the alignment was reduced).
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.09 (7)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0195 Invalid value handling is implementation defined (2010-07-03)}
@cindex AI-0195 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The handling of invalid values is now designated to be implementation
  defined. This is a documentation change only, requiring Annex M in the GNAT
  Reference Manual to document this handling.
  In GNAT, checks for invalid values are made
  only when necessary to avoid erroneous behavior. Operations like assignments
  which cannot cause erroneous behavior ignore the possibility of invalid
  values and do not do a check. The date given above applies only to the
  documentation change, this behavior has always been implemented by GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.09.01 (10)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0193 Alignment of allocators (2010-09-16)}
@cindex AI-0193 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI introduces a new attribute @code{Max_Alignment_For_Allocation},
  analogous to @code{Max_Size_In_Storage_Elements}, but for alignment instead
  of size.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.11 (16)   13.11 (21)   13.11.01 (0)   13.11.01 (1)
  13.11.01 (2)   13.11.01 (3)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0177 Parameterized expressions (2010-07-10)}
@cindex AI-0177 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The new Ada 2012 notion of parameterized expressions is implemented. The form
  is:
@smallexample
  @i{function specification} @b{is} (@i{expression})
@end smallexample
 
@noindent
  This is exactly equivalent to the
  corresponding function body that returns the expression, but it can appear
  in a package spec. Note that the expression must be parenthesized.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.11.01 (3/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0033 Attach/Interrupt_Handler in generic (2010-07-24)}
@cindex AI-0033 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Neither of these two pragmas may appear within a generic template, because
  the generic might be instantiated at other than the library level.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.11.02 (16)   C.03.01 (7/2)   C.03.01 (8/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0161 Restriction No_Default_Stream_Attributes (2010-09-11)}
@cindex AI-0161 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A new restriction @code{No_Default_Stream_Attributes} prevents the use of any
  of the default stream attributes for elementary types. If this restriction is
  in force, then it is necessary to provide explicit subprograms for any
  stream attributes used.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.12.01 (4/2)   13.13.02 (40/2)   13.13.02 (52/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0194 Value of Stream_Size attribute (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0194 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The @code{Stream_Size} attribute returns the default number of bits in the
  stream representation of the given type.
  This value is not affected by the presence
  of stream subprogram attributes for the type. GNAT has always implemented
  this interpretation.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.13.02 (1.2/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0109 Redundant check in S'Class'Input (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0109 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI is an editorial change only. It removes the need for a tag check
  that can never fail.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.13.02 (34/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0007 Stream read and private scalar types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0007 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM as written appeared to limit the possibilities of declaring read
  attribute procedures for private scalar types. This limitation was not
  intended, and has never been enforced by GNAT.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.13.02 (50/2)   13.13.02 (51/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0065 Remote access types and external streaming (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0065 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI clarifies the fact that all remote access types support external
  streaming. This fixes an obvious oversight in the definition of the
  language, and GNAT always implemented the intended correct rules.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.13.02 (52/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0019 Freezing of primitives for tagged types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0019 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The RM suggests that primitive subprograms of a specific tagged type are
  frozen when the tagged type is frozen. This would be an incompatible change
  and is not intended. GNAT has never attempted this kind of freezing and its
  behavior is consistent with the recommendation of this AI.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.14 (2)   13.14 (3/1)   13.14 (8.1/1)   13.14 (10)   13.14 (14)   13.14 (15.1/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0017 Freezing and incomplete types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0017 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  So-called ``Taft-amendment types'' (i.e., types that are completed in package
  bodies) are not frozen by the occurrence of bodies in the
  enclosing declarative part. GNAT always implemented this properly.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  13.14 (3/1)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0060 Extended definition of remote access types (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0060 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI extends the definition of remote access types to include access
  to limited, synchronized, protected or task class-wide interface types.
  GNAT already implemented this extension.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A (4)   E.02.02 (9/1)   E.02.02 (9.2/1)   E.02.02 (14/2)   E.02.02 (18)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0114 Classification of letters (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0114 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The code points 170 (@code{FEMININE ORDINAL INDICATOR}),
  181 (@code{MICRO SIGN}), and
  186 (@code{MASCULINE ORDINAL INDICATOR}) are technically considered
  lower case letters by Unicode.
  However, they are not allowed in identifiers, and they
  return @code{False} to @code{Ada.Characters.Handling.Is_Letter/Is_Lower}.
  This behavior is consistent with that defined in Ada 95.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.03.02 (59)   A.04.06 (7)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0185 Ada.Wide_[Wide_]Characters.Handling (2010-07-06)}
@cindex AI-0185 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Two new packages @code{Ada.Wide_[Wide_]Characters.Handling} provide
  classification functions for @code{Wide_Character} and
  @code{Wide_Wide_Character}, as well as providing
  case folding routines for @code{Wide_[Wide_]Character} and
  @code{Wide_[Wide_]String}.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.03.05 (0)   A.03.06 (0)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0031 Add From parameter to Find_Token (2010-07-25)}
@cindex AI-0031 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A new version of @code{Find_Token} is added to all relevant string packages,
  with an extra parameter @code{From}. Instead of starting at the first
  character of the string, the search for a matching Token starts at the
  character indexed by the value of @code{From}.
  These procedures are available in all versions of Ada
  but if used in versions earlier than Ada 2012 they will generate a warning
  that an Ada 2012 subprogram is being used.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.04.03 (16)   A.04.03 (67)   A.04.03 (68/1)   A.04.04 (51)
  A.04.05 (46)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0056 Index on null string returns zero (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0056 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The wording in the Ada 2005 RM implied an incompatible handling of the
  @code{Index} functions, resulting in raising an exception instead of
  returning zero in some situations.
  This was not intended and has been corrected.
  GNAT always returned zero, and is thus consistent with this AI.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.04.03 (56.2/2)   A.04.03 (58.5/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0137 String encoding package (2010-03-25)}
@cindex AI-0137 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The packages @code{Ada.Strings.UTF_Encoding}, together with its child
  packages, @code{Conversions}, @code{Strings}, @code{Wide_Strings},
  and @code{Wide_Wide_Strings} have been
  implemented. These packages (whose documentation can be found in the spec
  files @file{a-stuten.ads}, @file{a-suenco.ads}, @file{a-suenst.ads},
  @file{a-suewst.ads}, @file{a-suezst.ads}) allow encoding and decoding of
  @code{String}, @code{Wide_String}, and @code{Wide_Wide_String}
  values using UTF coding schemes (including UTF-8, UTF-16LE, UTF-16BE, and
  UTF-16), as well as conversions between the different UTF encodings. With
  the exception of @code{Wide_Wide_Strings}, these packages are available in
  Ada 95 and Ada 2005 mode as well as Ada 2012 mode.
  The @code{Wide_Wide_Strings package}
  is available in Ada 2005 mode as well as Ada 2012 mode (but not in Ada 95
  mode since it uses @code{Wide_Wide_Character}).
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.04.11
 
@item
@emph{AI-0038 Minor errors in Text_IO (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0038 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  These are minor errors in the description on three points. The intent on
  all these points has always been clear, and GNAT has always implemented the
  correct intended semantics.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.10.05 (37)   A.10.07 (8/1)   A.10.07 (10)   A.10.07 (12)   A.10.08 (10)   A.10.08 (24)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0044 Restrictions on container instantiations (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0044 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI places restrictions on allowed instantiations of generic containers.
  These restrictions are not checked by the compiler, so there is nothing to
  change in the implementation. This affects only the RM documentation.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.18 (4/2)   A.18.02 (231/2)   A.18.03 (145/2)   A.18.06 (56/2)   A.18.08 (66/2)   A.18.09 (79/2)   A.18.26 (5/2)   A.18.26 (9/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0127 Adding Locale Capabilities (2010-09-29)}
@cindex AI-0127 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This package provides an interface for identifying the current locale.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  A.19    A.19.01    A.19.02    A.19.03    A.19.05    A.19.06
  A.19.07    A.19.08    A.19.09    A.19.10    A.19.11    A.19.12    A.19.13
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0002 Export C with unconstrained arrays (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0002 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The compiler is not required to support exporting an Ada subprogram with
  convention C if there are parameters or a return type of an unconstrained
  array type (such as @code{String}). GNAT allows such declarations but
  generates warnings. It is possible, but complicated, to write the
  corresponding C code and certainly such code would be specific to GNAT and
  non-portable.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  B.01 (17)   B.03 (62)   B.03 (71.1/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0216 No_Task_Hierarchy forbids local tasks (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI05-0216 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  It is clearly the intention that @code{No_Task_Hierarchy} is intended to
  forbid tasks declared locally within subprograms, or functions returning task
  objects, and that is the implementation that GNAT has always provided.
  However the language in the RM was not sufficiently clear on this point.
  Thus this is a documentation change in the RM only.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.07 (3/3)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0211 No_Relative_Delays forbids Set_Handler use (2010-07-09)}
@cindex AI-0211 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  The restriction @code{No_Relative_Delays} forbids any calls to the subprogram
  @code{Ada.Real_Time.Timing_Events.Set_Handler}.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.07 (5)   D.07 (10/2)   D.07 (10.4/2)   D.07 (10.7/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0190 pragma Default_Storage_Pool (2010-09-15)}
@cindex AI-0190 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI introduces a new pragma @code{Default_Storage_Pool}, which can be
  used to control storage pools globally.
  In particular, you can force every access
  type that is used for allocation (@b{new}) to have an explicit storage pool,
  or you can declare a pool globally to be used for all access types that lack
  an explicit one.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.07 (8)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0189 No_Allocators_After_Elaboration (2010-01-23)}
@cindex AI-0189 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This AI introduces a new restriction @code{No_Allocators_After_Elaboration},
  which says that no dynamic allocation will occur once elaboration is
  completed.
  In general this requires a run-time check, which is not required, and which
  GNAT does not attempt. But the static cases of allocators in a task body or
  in the body of the main program are detected and flagged at compile or bind
  time.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.07 (19.1/2)   H.04 (23.3/2)
 
@item
@emph{AI-0171 Pragma CPU and Ravenscar Profile (2010-09-24)}
@cindex AI-0171 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  A new package @code{System.Multiprocessors} is added, together with the
  definition of pragma @code{CPU} for controlling task affinity. A new no
  dependence restriction, on @code{System.Multiprocessors.Dispatching_Domains},
  is added to the Ravenscar profile.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.13.01 (4/2)   D.16
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0210 Correct Timing_Events metric (0000-00-00)}
@cindex AI-0210 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  This is a documentation only issue regarding wording of metric requirements,
  that does not affect the implementation of the compiler.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  D.15 (24/2)
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0206 Remote types packages and preelaborate (2010-07-24)}
@cindex AI-0206 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Remote types packages are now allowed to depend on preelaborated packages.
  This was formerly considered illegal.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  E.02.02 (6)
 
 
 
@item
@emph{AI-0152 Restriction No_Anonymous_Allocators (2010-09-08)}
@cindex AI-0152 (Ada 2012 feature)
 
@noindent
  Restriction @code{No_Anonymous_Allocators} prevents the use of allocators
  where the type of the returned value is an anonymous access type.
 
@noindent
  RM References:  H.04 (8/1)
@end itemize
 
 
@node Obsolescent Features
@chapter Obsolescent Features
 
@noindent
This chapter describes features that are provided by GNAT, but are
considered obsolescent since there are preferred ways of achieving
the same effect. These features are provided solely for historical
compatibility purposes.
 
@menu
* pragma No_Run_Time::
* pragma Ravenscar::
* pragma Restricted_Run_Time::
@end menu
 
@node pragma No_Run_Time
@section pragma No_Run_Time
 
The pragma @code{No_Run_Time} is used to achieve an affect similar
to the use of the "Zero Foot Print" configurable run time, but without
requiring a specially configured run time. The result of using this
pragma, which must be used for all units in a partition, is to restrict
the use of any language features requiring run-time support code. The
preferred usage is to use an appropriately configured run-time that
includes just those features that are to be made accessible.
 
@node pragma Ravenscar
@section pragma Ravenscar
 
The pragma @code{Ravenscar} has exactly the same effect as pragma
@code{Profile (Ravenscar)}. The latter usage is preferred since it
is part of the new Ada 2005 standard.
 
@node pragma Restricted_Run_Time
@section pragma Restricted_Run_Time
 
The pragma @code{Restricted_Run_Time} has exactly the same effect as
pragma @code{Profile (Restricted)}. The latter usage is
preferred since the Ada 2005 pragma @code{Profile} is intended for
this kind of implementation dependent addition.
 
@include fdl.texi
@c GNU Free Documentation License
 
@node Index,,GNU Free Documentation License, Top
@unnumbered Index
 
@printindex cp
 
@contents
 
@bye
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