@c Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, @c 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc. @c This is part of the GAS manual. @c For copying conditions, see the file as.texinfo. @ifset GENERIC @page @node ARM-Dependent @chapter ARM Dependent Features @end ifset @ifclear GENERIC @node Machine Dependencies @chapter ARM Dependent Features @end ifclear @cindex ARM support @cindex Thumb support @menu * ARM Options:: Options * ARM Syntax:: Syntax * ARM Floating Point:: Floating Point * ARM Directives:: ARM Machine Directives * ARM Opcodes:: Opcodes * ARM Mapping Symbols:: Mapping Symbols * ARM Unwinding Tutorial:: Unwinding @end menu @node ARM Options @section Options @cindex ARM options (none) @cindex options for ARM (none) @table @code @cindex @code{-mcpu=} command line option, ARM @item -mcpu=@var{processor}[+@var{extension}@dots{}] This option specifies the target processor. The assembler will issue an error message if an attempt is made to assemble an instruction which will not execute on the target processor. The following processor names are recognized: @code{arm1}, @code{arm2}, @code{arm250}, @code{arm3}, @code{arm6}, @code{arm60}, @code{arm600}, @code{arm610}, @code{arm620}, @code{arm7}, @code{arm7m}, @code{arm7d}, @code{arm7dm}, @code{arm7di}, @code{arm7dmi}, @code{arm70}, @code{arm700}, @code{arm700i}, @code{arm710}, @code{arm710t}, @code{arm720}, @code{arm720t}, @code{arm740t}, @code{arm710c}, @code{arm7100}, @code{arm7500}, @code{arm7500fe}, @code{arm7t}, @code{arm7tdmi}, @code{arm7tdmi-s}, @code{arm8}, @code{arm810}, @code{strongarm}, @code{strongarm1}, @code{strongarm110}, @code{strongarm1100}, @code{strongarm1110}, @code{arm9}, @code{arm920}, @code{arm920t}, @code{arm922t}, @code{arm940t}, @code{arm9tdmi}, @code{fa526} (Faraday FA526 processor), @code{fa626} (Faraday FA626 processor), @code{arm9e}, @code{arm926e}, @code{arm926ej-s}, @code{arm946e-r0}, @code{arm946e}, @code{arm946e-s}, @code{arm966e-r0}, @code{arm966e}, @code{arm966e-s}, @code{arm968e-s}, @code{arm10t}, @code{arm10tdmi}, @code{arm10e}, @code{arm1020}, @code{arm1020t}, @code{arm1020e}, @code{arm1022e}, @code{arm1026ej-s}, @code{fa626te} (Faraday FA626TE processor), @code{fa726te} (Faraday FA726TE processor), @code{arm1136j-s}, @code{arm1136jf-s}, @code{arm1156t2-s}, @code{arm1156t2f-s}, @code{arm1176jz-s}, @code{arm1176jzf-s}, @code{mpcore}, @code{mpcorenovfp}, @code{cortex-a5}, @code{cortex-a8}, @code{cortex-a9}, @code{cortex-a15}, @code{cortex-r4}, @code{cortex-r4f}, @code{cortex-m4}, @code{cortex-m3}, @code{cortex-m1}, @code{cortex-m0}, @code{ep9312} (ARM920 with Cirrus Maverick coprocessor), @code{i80200} (Intel XScale processor) @code{iwmmxt} (Intel(r) XScale processor with Wireless MMX(tm) technology coprocessor) and @code{xscale}. The special name @code{all} may be used to allow the assembler to accept instructions valid for any ARM processor. In addition to the basic instruction set, the assembler can be told to accept various extension mnemonics that extend the processor using the co-processor instruction space. For example, @code{-mcpu=arm920+maverick} is equivalent to specifying @code{-mcpu=ep9312}. Multiple extensions may be specified, separated by a @code{+}. The extensions should be specified in ascending alphabetical order. Some extensions may be restricted to particular architectures; this is documented in the list of extensions below. Extension mnemonics may also be removed from those the assembler accepts. This is done be prepending @code{no} to the option that adds the extension. Extensions that are removed should be listed after all extensions which have been added, again in ascending alphabetical order. For example, @code{-mcpu=ep9312+nomaverick} is equivalent to specifying @code{-mcpu=arm920}. The following extensions are currently supported: @code{idiv}, (Integer Divide Extensions for v7-A architecture), @code{iwmmxt}, @code{iwmmxt2}, @code{maverick}, @code{mp} (Multiprocessing Extensions for v7-A and v7-R architectures), @code{os} (Operating System for v6M architecture), @code{sec} (Security Extensions for v6K and v7-A architectures), @code{virt} (Virtualization Extensions for v7-A architecture, implies @code{idiv}), and @code{xscale}. @cindex @code{-march=} command line option, ARM @item -march=@var{architecture}[+@var{extension}@dots{}] This option specifies the target architecture. The assembler will issue an error message if an attempt is made to assemble an instruction which will not execute on the target architecture. The following architecture names are recognized: @code{armv1}, @code{armv2}, @code{armv2a}, @code{armv2s}, @code{armv3}, @code{armv3m}, @code{armv4}, @code{armv4xm}, @code{armv4t}, @code{armv4txm}, @code{armv5}, @code{armv5t}, @code{armv5txm}, @code{armv5te}, @code{armv5texp}, @code{armv6}, @code{armv6j}, @code{armv6k}, @code{armv6z}, @code{armv6zk}, @code{armv6-m}, @code{armv6s-m}, @code{armv7}, @code{armv7-a}, @code{armv7-r}, @code{armv7-m}, @code{armv7e-m}, @code{iwmmxt} and @code{xscale}. If both @code{-mcpu} and @code{-march} are specified, the assembler will use the setting for @code{-mcpu}. The architecture option can be extended with the same instruction set extension options as the @code{-mcpu} option. @cindex @code{-mfpu=} command line option, ARM @item -mfpu=@var{floating-point-format} This option specifies the floating point format to assemble for. The assembler will issue an error message if an attempt is made to assemble an instruction which will not execute on the target floating point unit. The following format options are recognized: @code{softfpa}, @code{fpe}, @code{fpe2}, @code{fpe3}, @code{fpa}, @code{fpa10}, @code{fpa11}, @code{arm7500fe}, @code{softvfp}, @code{softvfp+vfp}, @code{vfp}, @code{vfp10}, @code{vfp10-r0}, @code{vfp9}, @code{vfpxd}, @code{vfpv2}, @code{vfpv3}, @code{vfpv3-fp16}, @code{vfpv3-d16}, @code{vfpv3-d16-fp16}, @code{vfpv3xd}, @code{vfpv3xd-d16}, @code{vfpv4}, @code{vfpv4-d16}, @code{fpv4-sp-d16}, @code{arm1020t}, @code{arm1020e}, @code{arm1136jf-s}, @code{maverick}, @code{neon}, and @code{neon-vfpv4}. In addition to determining which instructions are assembled, this option also affects the way in which the @code{.double} assembler directive behaves when assembling little-endian code. The default is dependent on the processor selected. For Architecture 5 or later, the default is to assembler for VFP instructions; for earlier architectures the default is to assemble for FPA instructions. @cindex @code{-mthumb} command line option, ARM @item -mthumb This option specifies that the assembler should start assembling Thumb instructions; that is, it should behave as though the file starts with a @code{.code 16} directive. @cindex @code{-mthumb-interwork} command line option, ARM @item -mthumb-interwork This option specifies that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as supporting interworking. @cindex @code{-mimplicit-it} command line option, ARM @item -mimplicit-it=never @itemx -mimplicit-it=always @itemx -mimplicit-it=arm @itemx -mimplicit-it=thumb The @code{-mimplicit-it} option controls the behavior of the assembler when conditional instructions are not enclosed in IT blocks. There are four possible behaviors. If @code{never} is specified, such constructs cause a warning in ARM code and an error in Thumb-2 code. If @code{always} is specified, such constructs are accepted in both ARM and Thumb-2 code, where the IT instruction is added implicitly. If @code{arm} is specified, such constructs are accepted in ARM code and cause an error in Thumb-2 code. If @code{thumb} is specified, such constructs cause a warning in ARM code and are accepted in Thumb-2 code. If you omit this option, the behavior is equivalent to @code{-mimplicit-it=arm}. @cindex @code{-mapcs-26} command line option, ARM @cindex @code{-mapcs-32} command line option, ARM @item -mapcs-26 @itemx -mapcs-32 These options specify that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as supporting the indicated version of the Arm Procedure. Calling Standard. @cindex @code{-matpcs} command line option, ARM @item -matpcs This option specifies that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as supporting the Arm/Thumb Procedure Calling Standard. If enabled this option will cause the assembler to create an empty debugging section in the object file called .arm.atpcs. Debuggers can use this to determine the ABI being used by. @cindex @code{-mapcs-float} command line option, ARM @item -mapcs-float This indicates the floating point variant of the APCS should be used. In this variant floating point arguments are passed in FP registers rather than integer registers. @cindex @code{-mapcs-reentrant} command line option, ARM @item -mapcs-reentrant This indicates that the reentrant variant of the APCS should be used. This variant supports position independent code. @cindex @code{-mfloat-abi=} command line option, ARM @item -mfloat-abi=@var{abi} This option specifies that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as using specified floating point ABI. The following values are recognized: @code{soft}, @code{softfp} and @code{hard}. @cindex @code{-eabi=} command line option, ARM @item -meabi=@var{ver} This option specifies which EABI version the produced object files should conform to. The following values are recognized: @code{gnu}, @code{4} and @code{5}. @cindex @code{-EB} command line option, ARM @item -EB This option specifies that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as being encoded for a big-endian processor. @cindex @code{-EL} command line option, ARM @item -EL This option specifies that the output generated by the assembler should be marked as being encoded for a little-endian processor. @cindex @code{-k} command line option, ARM @cindex PIC code generation for ARM @item -k This option specifies that the output of the assembler should be marked as position-independent code (PIC). @cindex @code{--fix-v4bx} command line option, ARM @item --fix-v4bx Allow @code{BX} instructions in ARMv4 code. This is intended for use with the linker option of the same name. @cindex @code{-mwarn-deprecated} command line option, ARM @item -mwarn-deprecated @itemx -mno-warn-deprecated Enable or disable warnings about using deprecated options or features. The default is to warn. @end table @node ARM Syntax @section Syntax @menu * ARM-Instruction-Set:: Instruction Set * ARM-Chars:: Special Characters * ARM-Regs:: Register Names * ARM-Relocations:: Relocations * ARM-Neon-Alignment:: NEON Alignment Specifiers @end menu @node ARM-Instruction-Set @subsection Instruction Set Syntax Two slightly different syntaxes are support for ARM and THUMB instructions. The default, @code{divided}, uses the old style where ARM and THUMB instructions had their own, separate syntaxes. The new, @code{unified} syntax, which can be selected via the @code{.syntax} directive, and has the following main features: @table @bullet @item Immediate operands do not require a @code{#} prefix. @item The @code{IT} instruction may appear, and if it does it is validated against subsequent conditional affixes. In ARM mode it does not generate machine code, in THUMB mode it does. @item For ARM instructions the conditional affixes always appear at the end of the instruction. For THUMB instructions conditional affixes can be used, but only inside the scope of an @code{IT} instruction. @item All of the instructions new to the V6T2 architecture (and later) are available. (Only a few such instructions can be written in the @code{divided} syntax). @item The @code{.N} and @code{.W} suffixes are recognized and honored. @item All instructions set the flags if and only if they have an @code{s} affix. @end table @node ARM-Chars @subsection Special Characters @cindex line comment character, ARM @cindex ARM line comment character The presence of a @samp{@@} on a line indicates the start of a comment that extends to the end of the current line. If a @samp{#} appears as the first character of a line, the whole line is treated as a comment. @cindex line separator, ARM @cindex statement separator, ARM @cindex ARM line separator The @samp{;} character can be used instead of a newline to separate statements. @cindex immediate character, ARM @cindex ARM immediate character Either @samp{#} or @samp{$} can be used to indicate immediate operands. @cindex identifiers, ARM @cindex ARM identifiers *TODO* Explain about /data modifier on symbols. @node ARM-Regs @subsection Register Names @cindex ARM register names @cindex register names, ARM *TODO* Explain about ARM register naming, and the predefined names. @node ARM-Neon-Alignment @subsection NEON Alignment Specifiers @cindex alignment for NEON instructions Some NEON load/store instructions allow an optional address alignment qualifier. The ARM documentation specifies that this is indicated by @samp{@@ @var{align}}. However GAS already interprets the @samp{@@} character as a "line comment" start, so @samp{: @var{align}} is used instead. For example: @smallexample vld1.8 @{q0@}, [r0, :128] @end smallexample @node ARM Floating Point @section Floating Point @cindex floating point, ARM (@sc{ieee}) @cindex ARM floating point (@sc{ieee}) The ARM family uses @sc{ieee} floating-point numbers. @node ARM-Relocations @subsection ARM relocation generation @cindex data relocations, ARM @cindex ARM data relocations Specific data relocations can be generated by putting the relocation name in parentheses after the symbol name. For example: @smallexample .word foo(TARGET1) @end smallexample This will generate an @samp{R_ARM_TARGET1} relocation against the symbol @var{foo}. The following relocations are supported: @code{GOT}, @code{GOTOFF}, @code{TARGET1}, @code{TARGET2}, @code{SBREL}, @code{TLSGD}, @code{TLSLDM}, @code{TLSLDO}, @code{GOTTPOFF}, @code{GOT_PREL} and @code{TPOFF}. For compatibility with older toolchains the assembler also accepts @code{(PLT)} after branch targets. This will generate the deprecated @samp{R_ARM_PLT32} relocation. @cindex MOVW and MOVT relocations, ARM Relocations for @samp{MOVW} and @samp{MOVT} instructions can be generated by prefixing the value with @samp{#:lower16:} and @samp{#:upper16} respectively. For example to load the 32-bit address of foo into r0: @smallexample MOVW r0, #:lower16:foo MOVT r0, #:upper16:foo @end smallexample @node ARM Directives @section ARM Machine Directives @cindex machine directives, ARM @cindex ARM machine directives @table @code @c AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA @cindex @code{.2byte} directive, ARM @cindex @code{.4byte} directive, ARM @cindex @code{.8byte} directive, ARM @item .2byte @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* @itemx .4byte @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* @itemx .8byte @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* These directives write 2, 4 or 8 byte values to the output section. @cindex @code{.align} directive, ARM @item .align @var{expression} [, @var{expression}] This is the generic @var{.align} directive. For the ARM however if the first argument is zero (ie no alignment is needed) the assembler will behave as if the argument had been 2 (ie pad to the next four byte boundary). This is for compatibility with ARM's own assembler. @cindex @code{.arch} directive, ARM @item .arch @var{name} Select the target architecture. Valid values for @var{name} are the same as for the @option{-march} commandline option. Specifying @code{.arch} clears any previously selected architecture extensions. @cindex @code{.arch_extension} directive, ARM @item .arch_extension @var{name} Add or remove an architecture extension to the target architecture. Valid values for @var{name} are the same as those accepted as architectural extensions by the @option{-mcpu} commandline option. @code{.arch_extension} may be used multiple times to add or remove extensions incrementally to the architecture being compiled for. @cindex @code{.arm} directive, ARM @item .arm This performs the same action as @var{.code 32}. @anchor{arm_pad} @cindex @code{.pad} directive, ARM @item .pad #@var{count} Generate unwinder annotations for a stack adjustment of @var{count} bytes. A positive value indicates the function prologue allocated stack space by decrementing the stack pointer. @c BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB @cindex @code{.bss} directive, ARM @item .bss This directive switches to the @code{.bss} section. @c CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC @cindex @code{.cantunwind} directive, ARM @item .cantunwind Prevents unwinding through the current function. No personality routine or exception table data is required or permitted. @cindex @code{.code} directive, ARM @item .code @code{[16|32]} This directive selects the instruction set being generated. The value 16 selects Thumb, with the value 32 selecting ARM. @cindex @code{.cpu} directive, ARM @item .cpu @var{name} Select the target processor. Valid values for @var{name} are the same as for the @option{-mcpu} commandline option. Specifying @code{.cpu} clears any previously selected architecture extensions. @c DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD @cindex @code{.dn} and @code{.qn} directives, ARM @item @var{name} .dn @var{register name} [@var{.type}] [[@var{index}]] @itemx @var{name} .qn @var{register name} [@var{.type}] [[@var{index}]] The @code{dn} and @code{qn} directives are used to create typed and/or indexed register aliases for use in Advanced SIMD Extension (Neon) instructions. The former should be used to create aliases of double-precision registers, and the latter to create aliases of quad-precision registers. If these directives are used to create typed aliases, those aliases can be used in Neon instructions instead of writing types after the mnemonic or after each operand. For example: @smallexample x .dn d2.f32 y .dn d3.f32 z .dn d4.f32[1] vmul x,y,z @end smallexample This is equivalent to writing the following: @smallexample vmul.f32 d2,d3,d4[1] @end smallexample Aliases created using @code{dn} or @code{qn} can be destroyed using @code{unreq}. @c EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE @cindex @code{.eabi_attribute} directive, ARM @item .eabi_attribute @var{tag}, @var{value} Set the EABI object attribute @var{tag} to @var{value}. The @var{tag} is either an attribute number, or one of the following: @code{Tag_CPU_raw_name}, @code{Tag_CPU_name}, @code{Tag_CPU_arch}, @code{Tag_CPU_arch_profile}, @code{Tag_ARM_ISA_use}, @code{Tag_THUMB_ISA_use}, @code{Tag_FP_arch}, @code{Tag_WMMX_arch}, @code{Tag_Advanced_SIMD_arch}, @code{Tag_PCS_config}, @code{Tag_ABI_PCS_R9_use}, @code{Tag_ABI_PCS_RW_data}, @code{Tag_ABI_PCS_RO_data}, @code{Tag_ABI_PCS_GOT_use}, @code{Tag_ABI_PCS_wchar_t}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_rounding}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_denormal}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_exceptions}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_user_exceptions}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_number_model}, @code{Tag_ABI_align_needed}, @code{Tag_ABI_align_preserved}, @code{Tag_ABI_enum_size}, @code{Tag_ABI_HardFP_use}, @code{Tag_ABI_VFP_args}, @code{Tag_ABI_WMMX_args}, @code{Tag_ABI_optimization_goals}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_optimization_goals}, @code{Tag_compatibility}, @code{Tag_CPU_unaligned_access}, @code{Tag_FP_HP_extension}, @code{Tag_ABI_FP_16bit_format}, @code{Tag_MPextension_use}, @code{Tag_DIV_use}, @code{Tag_nodefaults}, @code{Tag_also_compatible_with}, @code{Tag_conformance}, @code{Tag_T2EE_use}, @code{Tag_Virtualization_use} The @var{value} is either a @code{number}, @code{"string"}, or @code{number, "string"} depending on the tag. Note - the following legacy values are also accepted by @var{tag}: @code{Tag_VFP_arch}, @code{Tag_ABI_align8_needed}, @code{Tag_ABI_align8_preserved}, @code{Tag_VFP_HP_extension}, @cindex @code{.even} directive, ARM @item .even This directive aligns to an even-numbered address. @cindex @code{.extend} directive, ARM @cindex @code{.ldouble} directive, ARM @item .extend @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* @itemx .ldouble @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* These directives write 12byte long double floating-point values to the output section. These are not compatible with current ARM processors or ABIs. @c FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF @anchor{arm_fnend} @cindex @code{.fnend} directive, ARM @item .fnend Marks the end of a function with an unwind table entry. The unwind index table entry is created when this directive is processed. If no personality routine has been specified then standard personality routine 0 or 1 will be used, depending on the number of unwind opcodes required. @anchor{arm_fnstart} @cindex @code{.fnstart} directive, ARM @item .fnstart Marks the start of a function with an unwind table entry. @cindex @code{.force_thumb} directive, ARM @item .force_thumb This directive forces the selection of Thumb instructions, even if the target processor does not support those instructions @cindex @code{.fpu} directive, ARM @item .fpu @var{name} Select the floating-point unit to assemble for. Valid values for @var{name} are the same as for the @option{-mfpu} commandline option. @c GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG @c HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH @cindex @code{.handlerdata} directive, ARM @item .handlerdata Marks the end of the current function, and the start of the exception table entry for that function. Anything between this directive and the @code{.fnend} directive will be added to the exception table entry. Must be preceded by a @code{.personality} or @code{.personalityindex} directive. @c IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII @cindex @code{.inst} directive, ARM @item .inst @var{opcode} [ , @dots{} ] @itemx .inst.n @var{opcode} [ , @dots{} ] @itemx .inst.w @var{opcode} [ , @dots{} ] Generates the instruction corresponding to the numerical value @var{opcode}. @code{.inst.n} and @code{.inst.w} allow the Thumb instruction size to be specified explicitly, overriding the normal encoding rules. @c JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ @c KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK @c LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL @item .ldouble @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* See @code{.extend}. @cindex @code{.ltorg} directive, ARM @item .ltorg This directive causes the current contents of the literal pool to be dumped into the current section (which is assumed to be the .text section) at the current location (aligned to a word boundary). @code{GAS} maintains a separate literal pool for each section and each sub-section. The @code{.ltorg} directive will only affect the literal pool of the current section and sub-section. At the end of assembly all remaining, un-empty literal pools will automatically be dumped. Note - older versions of @code{GAS} would dump the current literal pool any time a section change occurred. This is no longer done, since it prevents accurate control of the placement of literal pools. @c MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM @cindex @code{.movsp} directive, ARM @item .movsp @var{reg} [, #@var{offset}] Tell the unwinder that @var{reg} contains an offset from the current stack pointer. If @var{offset} is not specified then it is assumed to be zero. @c NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN @c OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO @cindex @code{.object_arch} directive, ARM @item .object_arch @var{name} Override the architecture recorded in the EABI object attribute section. Valid values for @var{name} are the same as for the @code{.arch} directive. Typically this is useful when code uses runtime detection of CPU features. @c PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP @cindex @code{.packed} directive, ARM @item .packed @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* This directive writes 12-byte packed floating-point values to the output section. These are not compatible with current ARM processors or ABIs. @cindex @code{.pad} directive, ARM @item .pad #@var{count} Generate unwinder annotations for a stack adjustment of @var{count} bytes. A positive value indicates the function prologue allocated stack space by decrementing the stack pointer. @cindex @code{.personality} directive, ARM @item .personality @var{name} Sets the personality routine for the current function to @var{name}. @cindex @code{.personalityindex} directive, ARM @item .personalityindex @var{index} Sets the personality routine for the current function to the EABI standard routine number @var{index} @cindex @code{.pool} directive, ARM @item .pool This is a synonym for .ltorg. @c QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ @c RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR @cindex @code{.req} directive, ARM @item @var{name} .req @var{register name} This creates an alias for @var{register name} called @var{name}. For example: @smallexample foo .req r0 @end smallexample @c SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS @anchor{arm_save} @cindex @code{.save} directive, ARM @item .save @var{reglist} Generate unwinder annotations to restore the registers in @var{reglist}. The format of @var{reglist} is the same as the corresponding store-multiple instruction. @smallexample @exdent @emph{core registers} .save @{r4, r5, r6, lr@} stmfd sp!, @{r4, r5, r6, lr@} @exdent @emph{FPA registers} .save f4, 2 sfmfd f4, 2, [sp]! @exdent @emph{VFP registers} .save @{d8, d9, d10@} fstmdx sp!, @{d8, d9, d10@} @exdent @emph{iWMMXt registers} .save @{wr10, wr11@} wstrd wr11, [sp, #-8]! wstrd wr10, [sp, #-8]! or .save wr11 wstrd wr11, [sp, #-8]! .save wr10 wstrd wr10, [sp, #-8]! @end smallexample @anchor{arm_setfp} @cindex @code{.setfp} directive, ARM @item .setfp @var{fpreg}, @var{spreg} [, #@var{offset}] Make all unwinder annotations relative to a frame pointer. Without this the unwinder will use offsets from the stack pointer. The syntax of this directive is the same as the @code{add} or @code{mov} instruction used to set the frame pointer. @var{spreg} must be either @code{sp} or mentioned in a previous @code{.movsp} directive. @smallexample .movsp ip mov ip, sp @dots{} .setfp fp, ip, #4 add fp, ip, #4 @end smallexample @cindex @code{.secrel32} directive, ARM @item .secrel32 @var{expression} [, @var{expression}]* This directive emits relocations that evaluate to the section-relative offset of each expression's symbol. This directive is only supported for PE targets. @cindex @code{.syntax} directive, ARM @item .syntax [@code{unified} | @code{divided}] This directive sets the Instruction Set Syntax as described in the @ref{ARM-Instruction-Set} section. @c TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT @cindex @code{.thumb} directive, ARM @item .thumb This performs the same action as @var{.code 16}. @cindex @code{.thumb_func} directive, ARM @item .thumb_func This directive specifies that the following symbol is the name of a Thumb encoded function. This information is necessary in order to allow the assembler and linker to generate correct code for interworking between Arm and Thumb instructions and should be used even if interworking is not going to be performed. The presence of this directive also implies @code{.thumb} This directive is not neccessary when generating EABI objects. On these targets the encoding is implicit when generating Thumb code. @cindex @code{.thumb_set} directive, ARM @item .thumb_set This performs the equivalent of a @code{.set} directive in that it creates a symbol which is an alias for another symbol (possibly not yet defined). This directive also has the added property in that it marks the aliased symbol as being a thumb function entry point, in the same way that the @code{.thumb_func} directive does. @c UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU @cindex @code{.unreq} directive, ARM @item .unreq @var{alias-name} This undefines a register alias which was previously defined using the @code{req}, @code{dn} or @code{qn} directives. For example: @smallexample foo .req r0 .unreq foo @end smallexample An error occurs if the name is undefined. Note - this pseudo op can be used to delete builtin in register name aliases (eg 'r0'). This should only be done if it is really necessary. @cindex @code{.unwind_raw} directive, ARM @item .unwind_raw @var{offset}, @var{byte1}, @dots{} Insert one of more arbitary unwind opcode bytes, which are known to adjust the stack pointer by @var{offset} bytes. For example @code{.unwind_raw 4, 0xb1, 0x01} is equivalent to @code{.save @{r0@}} @c VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV @cindex @code{.vsave} directive, ARM @item .vsave @var{vfp-reglist} Generate unwinder annotations to restore the VFP registers in @var{vfp-reglist} using FLDMD. Also works for VFPv3 registers that are to be restored using VLDM. The format of @var{vfp-reglist} is the same as the corresponding store-multiple instruction. @smallexample @exdent @emph{VFP registers} .vsave @{d8, d9, d10@} fstmdd sp!, @{d8, d9, d10@} @exdent @emph{VFPv3 registers} .vsave @{d15, d16, d17@} vstm sp!, @{d15, d16, d17@} @end smallexample Since FLDMX and FSTMX are now deprecated, this directive should be used in favour of @code{.save} for saving VFP registers for ARMv6 and above. @c WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW @c XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX @c YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY @c ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ @end table @node ARM Opcodes @section Opcodes @cindex ARM opcodes @cindex opcodes for ARM @code{@value{AS}} implements all the standard ARM opcodes. It also implements several pseudo opcodes, including several synthetic load instructions. @table @code @cindex @code{NOP} pseudo op, ARM @item NOP @smallexample nop @end smallexample This pseudo op will always evaluate to a legal ARM instruction that does nothing. Currently it will evaluate to MOV r0, r0. @cindex @code{LDR reg,=<label>} pseudo op, ARM @item LDR @smallexample ldr <register> , = <expression> @end smallexample If expression evaluates to a numeric constant then a MOV or MVN instruction will be used in place of the LDR instruction, if the constant can be generated by either of these instructions. Otherwise the constant will be placed into the nearest literal pool (if it not already there) and a PC relative LDR instruction will be generated. @cindex @code{ADR reg,<label>} pseudo op, ARM @item ADR @smallexample adr <register> <label> @end smallexample This instruction will load the address of @var{label} into the indicated register. The instruction will evaluate to a PC relative ADD or SUB instruction depending upon where the label is located. If the label is out of range, or if it is not defined in the same file (and section) as the ADR instruction, then an error will be generated. This instruction will not make use of the literal pool. @cindex @code{ADRL reg,<label>} pseudo op, ARM @item ADRL @smallexample adrl <register> <label> @end smallexample This instruction will load the address of @var{label} into the indicated register. The instruction will evaluate to one or two PC relative ADD or SUB instructions depending upon where the label is located. If a second instruction is not needed a NOP instruction will be generated in its place, so that this instruction is always 8 bytes long. If the label is out of range, or if it is not defined in the same file (and section) as the ADRL instruction, then an error will be generated. This instruction will not make use of the literal pool. @end table For information on the ARM or Thumb instruction sets, see @cite{ARM Software Development Toolkit Reference Manual}, Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. @node ARM Mapping Symbols @section Mapping Symbols The ARM ELF specification requires that special symbols be inserted into object files to mark certain features: @table @code @cindex @code{$a} @item $a At the start of a region of code containing ARM instructions. @cindex @code{$t} @item $t At the start of a region of code containing THUMB instructions. @cindex @code{$d} @item $d At the start of a region of data. @end table The assembler will automatically insert these symbols for you - there is no need to code them yourself. Support for tagging symbols ($b, $f, $p and $m) which is also mentioned in the current ARM ELF specification is not implemented. This is because they have been dropped from the new EABI and so tools cannot rely upon their presence. @node ARM Unwinding Tutorial @section Unwinding The ABI for the ARM Architecture specifies a standard format for exception unwind information. This information is used when an exception is thrown to determine where control should be transferred. In particular, the unwind information is used to determine which function called the function that threw the exception, and which function called that one, and so forth. This information is also used to restore the values of callee-saved registers in the function catching the exception. If you are writing functions in assembly code, and those functions call other functions that throw exceptions, you must use assembly pseudo ops to ensure that appropriate exception unwind information is generated. Otherwise, if one of the functions called by your assembly code throws an exception, the run-time library will be unable to unwind the stack through your assembly code and your program will not behave correctly. To illustrate the use of these pseudo ops, we will examine the code that G++ generates for the following C++ input: @verbatim void callee (int *); int caller () { int i; callee (&i); return i; } @end verbatim This example does not show how to throw or catch an exception from assembly code. That is a much more complex operation and should always be done in a high-level language, such as C++, that directly supports exceptions. The code generated by one particular version of G++ when compiling the example above is: @verbatim _Z6callerv: .fnstart .LFB2: @ Function supports interworking. @ args = 0, pretend = 0, frame = 8 @ frame_needed = 1, uses_anonymous_args = 0 stmfd sp!, {fp, lr} .save {fp, lr} .LCFI0: .setfp fp, sp, #4 add fp, sp, #4 .LCFI1: .pad #8 sub sp, sp, #8 .LCFI2: sub r3, fp, #8 mov r0, r3 bl _Z6calleePi ldr r3, [fp, #-8] mov r0, r3 sub sp, fp, #4 ldmfd sp!, {fp, lr} bx lr .LFE2: .fnend @end verbatim Of course, the sequence of instructions varies based on the options you pass to GCC and on the version of GCC in use. The exact instructions are not important since we are focusing on the pseudo ops that are used to generate unwind information. An important assumption made by the unwinder is that the stack frame does not change during the body of the function. In particular, since we assume that the assembly code does not itself throw an exception, the only point where an exception can be thrown is from a call, such as the @code{bl} instruction above. At each call site, the same saved registers (including @code{lr}, which indicates the return address) must be located in the same locations relative to the frame pointer. The @code{.fnstart} (@pxref{arm_fnstart,,.fnstart pseudo op}) pseudo op appears immediately before the first instruction of the function while the @code{.fnend} (@pxref{arm_fnend,,.fnend pseudo op}) pseudo op appears immediately after the last instruction of the function. These pseudo ops specify the range of the function. Only the order of the other pseudos ops (e.g., @code{.setfp} or @code{.pad}) matters; their exact locations are irrelevant. In the example above, the compiler emits the pseudo ops with particular instructions. That makes it easier to understand the code, but it is not required for correctness. It would work just as well to emit all of the pseudo ops other than @code{.fnend} in the same order, but immediately after @code{.fnstart}. The @code{.save} (@pxref{arm_save,,.save pseudo op}) pseudo op indicates registers that have been saved to the stack so that they can be restored before the function returns. The argument to the @code{.save} pseudo op is a list of registers to save. If a register is ``callee-saved'' (as specified by the ABI) and is modified by the function you are writing, then your code must save the value before it is modified and restore the original value before the function returns. If an exception is thrown, the run-time library restores the values of these registers from their locations on the stack before returning control to the exception handler. (Of course, if an exception is not thrown, the function that contains the @code{.save} pseudo op restores these registers in the function epilogue, as is done with the @code{ldmfd} instruction above.) You do not have to save callee-saved registers at the very beginning of the function and you do not need to use the @code{.save} pseudo op immediately following the point at which the registers are saved. However, if you modify a callee-saved register, you must save it on the stack before modifying it and before calling any functions which might throw an exception. And, you must use the @code{.save} pseudo op to indicate that you have done so. The @code{.pad} (@pxref{arm_pad,,.pad}) pseudo op indicates a modification of the stack pointer that does not save any registers. The argument is the number of bytes (in decimal) that are subtracted from the stack pointer. (On ARM CPUs, the stack grows downwards, so subtracting from the stack pointer increases the size of the stack.) The @code{.setfp} (@pxref{arm_setfp,,.setfp pseudo op}) pseudo op indicates the register that contains the frame pointer. The first argument is the register that is set, which is typically @code{fp}. The second argument indicates the register from which the frame pointer takes its value. The third argument, if present, is the value (in decimal) added to the register specified by the second argument to compute the value of the frame pointer. You should not modify the frame pointer in the body of the function. If you do not use a frame pointer, then you should not use the @code{.setfp} pseudo op. If you do not use a frame pointer, then you should avoid modifying the stack pointer outside of the function prologue. Otherwise, the run-time library will be unable to find saved registers when it is unwinding the stack. The pseudo ops described above are sufficient for writing assembly code that calls functions which may throw exceptions. If you need to know more about the object-file format used to represent unwind information, you may consult the @cite{Exception Handling ABI for the ARM Architecture} available from @uref{http://infocenter.arm.com}.