Re: [avr-gcc-list] avr-g++ local variable constructor / block body/destructor ex

[Dave Hansen]

From: "Graham Davies" <address@hidden>
> David Brown wrote:
> > I believe [the compiler] can [change order of ... volatile objects 
> > access].
> > Obviously it is only legal if such moves do not affect the volatile 
> > accesses themselves.  Perhaps someone here who has a better knowledge of 
> > the standards ...
>
> I wouldn't claim better knowledge, but this is a sore spot for me so I'm 
> going to chime in anyway.
>
> I think that the compiler is not permitted to change the order in which 
> volatile objects are accessed.  This would undermine the intent of 
> volatile, which is to give the user exactly what he asks for.  My 
> impression is that the C language is defined in terms of the behavior of an 
> abstract machine, which lacks all optimization and operates in a very 
> simplistic but easy-to-describe manner.  An actual compiler is allowed to 
> deviate from this, in order to perform optimization, on condition that the 
> resulting behavior is indistinguishable from the abstract machine at 
> certain places called sequence points.  In addition, when manipulating 
> volatile objects, it is not allowed to deviate at all from the abstract 
> machine.

This is all true, but I think the key is that the volatile qualifier only 
affects what it qualifies.  For example, given the following code

  x = 1;
  y = 2;
  x = 3;
  y = 4;

If none of the variables is volatile, only the last three lines need 
generate any code, and they may be reordered any way the compiler likes.

If both variables ar volatile, each line must be executed in exactly the 
order shown.

If only x is volatile, the generated code must write a 1 to x, then a 3.  
The write of 2 to y can be elided, and the write of 4 to y can occur before, 
between, or after the writes to x.

As long as the final result is as-if the code had been performed by the 
abstract machine, and any volatile value is handled exactly as the abstract 
machine would have.

HTH,

  -=Dave

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