Standard ANSI C recognizes the following keywords:
auto
break
case
char
const
continue
default
do
double
else
enum
extern
float
for
goto
if
int
long
register
return
short
signed
sizeof
static
struct
switch
typedef
union
unsigned
void
volatile
while
In addition to these standard keywords, GCC4TI recognizes some extended keywords
which do not exist in ANSI C, like asm, typeof,
inline, etc., which are described in details in the section
GNU C language extensions. This section also describes extensions
to standard keywords, not only new ones.
Note: If square brackets '[...]' are used in syntax descriptions, they mean optional
arguments (as usual in syntax-describing languages), not square brackets as literals.
Defines a local variable as having a local lifetime.
Keyword auto uses the following syntax:
[auto] data-definition;
As the local lifetime is the default for local variables, auto keyword is
extremely rarely used.
Note: GNU C extends auto keyword to allow forward declaration of
nested functions.
Passes control out of the compound statement.
The break statement causes control to pass to the statement following the innermost enclosing while, do, for, or switch statement. The syntax is simply
break;
Makes variable value or pointer parameter unmodifiable.
When const is used with a variable, it uses the following syntax:
const variable-name [ = value];
In this case, the const modifier allows you to assign an initial
value to a variable that cannot later be changed by the program. For
example,
const my_age = 32;
Any assignments to 'my_age' will result in a compiler error. However,
such declaration is quite different than using
#define my_age 32
In the first case, the compiler allocates a memory for 'my_age' and stores
the initial value 32 there, but it will not allow any later assignment to this variable.
But, in the second case, all occurences of 'my_age' are simply replaced with 32
by the preprocessor, and no memory will be allocated for it.
Warning: a const variable can be indirectly modified by a pointer, as in the following
example:
*(int*)&my_age = 35;
When the const modifier is used with a pointer parameter in a function's parameter
list, it uses the following syntax:
function-name (const type *var-name)
Then, the function cannot modify the variable that the pointer points to. For example,
int printf (const char *format, ...);
Here the printf function is prevented from modifying the format string.
Passes control to the begining of the loop.
continue causes control to pass to the end of the innermost enclosing
while, do, or for statement, at
which point the loop continuation condition is re-evaluated. The syntax is simply
continue;
For example,
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
if (array[i] == 0)
continue;
array[i] = 1/array[i];
}
This example changes each element in the array with its reciprocal, but skips elements which are equal to zero.
Do-while loop.
Keyword do is usually used together with while to make
another form of repeating statement. Such form of the loop uses the following syntax:
do statement while (expression)
statement, which is usually a compound statement, is executed repeatedly as long as the value of expression remains non-zero. The test takes place after each execution of the statement. For example,
i = 1; n = 1;
do
{
n *= i;
i++;
} while (i <= factorial);
Defines a set of constants of type int.
The syntax for defining constants using enum is
enum [tag] {name [=value], ...};
The set can optionally be given a type tag name with tag. name is the name of a constant that can optionally be assigned the (constant) value of value, etc. For example,
enum Numbers {One = 1, Two = 2, Three = 3, Four = 4, Five = 5};
If value is missing, then a value is assumed to be the value of the
previous constant in the list + 1. If this is the first constant in the list,
the default value is 0.
If you give a type tag name, then you can declare variables of enumerated type using
enum tag variable-names;
For example,
enum Numbers x, y, z;
declares three variables x, y and z, all of type
Numbers (they are, in fact, integer variables). More precise,
'enum tag' becomes a new type which is equal in rights with any
built-in type.
Indicates that an identifier is defined elsewhere.
Keyword extern indicates that the actual storage and initial value of a variable,
or body of a function, is defined elsewhere, usually in a separate source code module. So,
it may be applied to data definitions and function prototypes:
extern data-definition; extern function-prototype;
For example,
extern int _fmode; extern void Factorial (int n);
The keyword extern is optional (i.e. default) for a function prototype.
Floating point data types.
The keyword float usually represents a single precision floating point data type,
and double represents a double precision floating point data type.
In GCC4TI, both float and double (and even long double)
are the same. The TI-68k calculators running AMS or compatible use a non-IEEE floating point
format called SMAP II BCD for floating point values.
These values have a range from 1e-999 to 9.999999999999999e999 in magnitude,
with a precision of exactly 16 significant digits.
Principally, the exponent range may be as high as 16383,
but most math routines do not accept exponents greater than 999.
For loop.
For-loop is yet another kind of loop. It uses for keyword, with the following
syntax:
for ([expr1]; [expr2]; [expr3]) statement
statement is executed repeatedly until the value of expr2 is 0. Before the first iteration, expr1 is evaluated. This is usually used to initialize variables for the loop. After each iteration of the loop, expr3 is evaluated. This is usually used to increment a loop counter. In fact, the for-loop is absolutely equivalent to the following sequence of statements:
expr1;
while (expr2)
{
statement;
expr3;
}
That's why expr1 and expr3 must contain side effects, else they are useless. For example,
for (i=0; i<100; i++) sum += x[i];
for (i=0, t=string; i<40 && *t; i++, t++) putch(*t);
putch('\n');
for (i=0, sum=0, sumsq=0, i<100; i++)
{
sum += i; sumsq += i*i;
}
All the expressions are optional. If expr2 is left out, it is assumed to be 1. statement may be a compound statement as well.
Unconditionally transfer control.
goto may be used for transfering control from one place to another.
The syntax is:
goto identifier;
Control is unconditionally transferred to the location of a local label specified by identifier. For example,
Again: ... goto Again;
Jumping out of scope (for example out of the body of the for
loop) is legal, but jumping into a scope (for example from one function to another)
is not allowed.
Note: The GNU C extends the usage of goto keyword to allow
computed goto. Also, it supports
local labels, useful in macro definitions.
Conditional statement.
Keyword if is used for conditional execution. The basic form of if
uses the following syntax:
if (expression) statement1
Alternatively, if may be used together with else, using the
following syntax:
if (expression) statement1 else statement2
If expression is nonzero when evaluated, then statement1 is executed. In
the second case, statement2 is executed if the expression is 0.
An optional else can follow an if statement, but no statements can come
between an if statement and an else. Of course, both
statement1 and statement2 may be compound statements (i.e. a sequence of
statements enclosed in braces). Here will be given some legal examples:
if (count < 50) count++;
if (x < y) z = x;
else z = y;
if (x < y)
{
printf ("x is smaller");
return x;
}
else
{
printf ("x is greater")
return y;
}
The #if and
#else preprocessor statements look similar to the
if and else statements, but have very different effects.
They control which source file lines are compiled and which are ignored.
Basic data types (integer and character).
Variables of type int are one machine-type word in length. They can be signed (default)
or unsigned, which means that in this configuration of the compiler
they have by default a range of -32768 to 32767 and 0 to 65535 respectively, but this default
may be changed if the compiler option '-mnoshort' is given. In this case,
the range of type int is -2147483648 to 2147483647 for signed case, or 0 to 4294967295 for
unsigned case. See also short and long type modifiers.
Variables of type char are 1 byte in length. They can be signed (this is the default,
unless you use the compiler option '-funsigned-char') or
unsigned, which means they have a range of -128 to 127 and 0 to 255,
respectively.
All data types may be used for defining variables, specifying return types of functions, and
specifying types of function arguments. For example,
int a, b, c; // 'a', 'b', 'c' are integer variables
int func (); // 'func' is a function returning int
char crypt (int key, char value); // 'crypt' is a function returning char with
// two args: 'key' is int and 'value' is char
When function return type is omitted, int is assumed.
All data type keywords may be used in combination with asterisks, brackets
and parentheses, for making complex data types, like
pointer types, array types, function types, or combinations of them, which in the C language may
have an arbitrary level of complexity (see asterisk for
more info).
Tells the compiler to store the variable being declared in a CPU register.
In standard C dialects, keyword auto uses the following syntax:
register data-definition;
The register type modifier tells the compiler to store the variable being
declared in a CPU register (if possible), to optimize access. For example,
register int i;
Note that GCC4TI will automatically store often used variables in CPU registers when the
optimization is turned on, but the keyword register will force storing in
registers even if the optimization is turned off. However, the request for storing data
in registers may be denied, if the compiler concludes that there is not enough free
registers for use at this place.
Note: The GNU C extends the usage of register keyword to allow
explicitely choosing of used registers.
Exits the function.
return exits immediately from the currently executing function to the calling
routine, optionally returning a value. The syntax is:
return [expression];
For example,
int sqr (int x)
{
return (x*x);
}
Type modifiers.
A type modifier alters the meaning of the base type to yield a new type.
Each of these type modifiers can be applied to the base type int.
The modifiers signed and unsigned can be applied to the base type char.
In addition, long can be applied to double.
When the base type is omitted from a declaration, int is assumed.
For example,
long x; // 'int' is implied unsigned char ch; signed int i; // 'signed' is default unsigned long int l; // 'int' is accepted, but not needed
In this implementation of the compiler, the valid range of valid data types is as listed in the following table:
short int -32768 to 32767
long int -2147483648 to 2147483647
signed char -128 to 127
signed int -32768 to 32767 (signed is default)
[or -2147483648 to 2147483647 if '-mnoshort' is given]
signed short int -32768 to 32767
signed long int -2147483648 to 2147483647
unsigned char 0 to 255
unsigned int 0 to 65535
[or 0 to 4294967295 if '-mnoshort' is given]
unsigned short int 0 to 65535
unsigned long int 0 to 4294967295
Note: GNU C extends the long keyword to allow
double-long integers (64-bit integers in this implementation),
so they have range from -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807 if signed, or from 0 to
18446744073709551615 if unsigned.
Returns the size of the expression or type.
Keyword sizeof is, in fact, an operator. It returns the
size, in bytes, of the given expression or type (as type size_t).
Its argument may be an expression of a type name:
sizeof expression sizeof (type)
For example,
workspace = calloc (100, sizeof (int)); memset(buff, 0, sizeof buff); nitems = sizeof (table) / sizeof (table[0]);
Note that type may be an anonymous type (see asterisk for more info about anonymous types).
Preserves variable value to survive after its scope ends.
Keyword static may be applied to both data and function definitions:
static data-definition; static function-definition;
For example,
static int i = 10;
static void PrintCR (void) { putc ('\n'); }
static tells that a function or data element is only known within the scope of the current
compile. In addition, if you use the static keyword with a variable that is
local to a function, it allows the last value of the variable to be preserved between
successive calls to that function.
Note that the initialization of automatic and static variables is quite different. Automatic
variables (local variables are automatic by default, except you explicitely use static
keyword) are initialized during the run-time, so the initialization will be executed whenever
it is encountered in the program. Static (and global) variables are initialized during
the compile-time, so the initial values will simply be embeded in the executable
file itself. If you change them, they will retain changed in the file. By default, the C language
proposes that all uninitialized static variables are initialized to zero.
The fact that global and static variables are initialized in compile-time and kept in the
executable file itself has one serious consequence, which is not present on "standard" computers like PC, Mac, etc. Namely,
these computers always reload the executable on each start from an external memory device (disk),
but this is not the case on TI. So, if you have the following global (or static) variable
int a = 10;
and if you change its value somewhere in the program to 20 (for example), its initial value will be 20 (not 10) on the next program start! Note that this is true only for global and static variables. To force reinitializing, you must put explicitely something like
a = 10;
at the begining of the main program!
Note, however, that if the program is archived,
the initial values will be restored each time you run the program, because archived
programs are reloaded from the archive memory to the RAM on each start, similarly
like the programs are reloaded from disks on "standard" computers each time when you start them.
Groups variables into a single record.
The syntax for defining records is:
struct [struct-type-name]
{
[type variable-names] ;
...
} [structure-variables] ;
A struct, like an union, groups variables into a single record.
The struct-type-name is an optional tag name that refers to the structure
type. The structure-variables are the data definitions, and are also optional.
Though both are optional, one of the two must appear.
Elements in the record are defined by naming a type, followed by
variable-names separated by commas. Different variable types can be
separated by a semicolon. For example,
struct my_struct
{
char name[80], phone_number[80];
int age, height;
} my_friend;
declares a record variable my_friend containing two strings
(name and phone_number) and two integers (age and height).
To declare additional variables of the same type, you use the keyword struct
followed by the struct-type-name, followed by the variable names. For
example,
struct my_struct my_friends[100];
declares an array named my_friends which components are records.
In fact, 'struct my_struct' becomes a new type which is equal in rights with any
built-in type.
To access elements in a structure, you use a record selector ('.'). For
example,
strcpy (my_friend.name, "Mr. Wizard");
A bit field is an element of a structure that is defined in terms of bits. Using a special type of struct definition, you can declare a structure element that can range from 1 to 16 bits in length. For example,
struct bit_field
{
int bit_1 : 1;
int bits_2_to_5 : 4;
int bit_6 : 1;
int bits_7_to_16 : 10;
} bit_var;
Branches control.
switch causes control to branch to one of a list of possible statements in the
block of statements. The syntax is
switch (expression) statement
The statement statement is typically a compound statement (i.e. a block of statements enclosed in braces). The branched-to statement is determined by evaluating expression, which must return an integral type. The list of possible branch points within statement is determined by preceding substatements with
case constant-expression :
where constant-expression must be an int and must be unique.
Once a value is computed for expression, the list of possible
constant-expression values determined from all case statements is searched
for a match. If a match is found, execution continues after the matching case statement
and continues until a break statement is encountered or the end of
statement is reached. If a match is not found and this statement prefix is found
within statement,
default :
execution continues at this point. Otherwise, statement is skipped entirely. For example,
switch (operand)
{
case MULTIPLY:
x *= y; break;
case DIVIDE:
x /= y; break;
case ADD:
x += y; break;
case SUBTRACT:
x -= y; break;
case INCREMENT2:
x++;
case INCREMENT1:
x++; break;
case EXPONENT:
case ROOT:
case MOD:
printf ("Not implemented!\n");
break;
default:
printf("Bug!\n");
exit(1);
}
See also break.
Note: GNU C extends the case keyword to allow
case ranges.
Creates a new type.
The syntax for defining a new type is
typedef type-definition identifier;
This statement assigns the symbol name identifier to the data type definition type-definition. For example,
typedef unsigned char byte;
typedef char str40[41];
typedef struct {float re, im;} complex;
typedef char *byteptr;
typedef int (*fncptr)(int);
After these definition, you can declare
byte m, n; str40 myStr; complex z1, z2; byteptr p; fncptr myFunc;
with the same meaning as you declare
unsigned char m, n;
char myStr[41];
struct {float re, im;} z1, z2;
char *p;
int (*myFunc)(int);
User defined types may be used at any place where the built-in types may be used.
Groups variables which share the same storage space.
A union is similar to a struct, except it allows you to define variables that share storage space. The syntax for defining unions is:
union [union-type-name]
{
type variable-names;
...
} [union-variables] ;
For example,
union short_or_long
{
short i;
long l;
} a_number;
The compiler will allocate enough storage in a number to accommodate the
largest element in the union.
Elements of a union are accessed in the same manner as a struct.
Unlike a struct, the variables 'a_number.i' and 'a_number.l' occupy the same
location in memory. Thus, writing into one will overwrite the other.
Empty data type.
When used as a function return type, void means that the function does not return a value. For example,
void hello (char *name)
{
printf("Hello, %s.", name);
}
When found in a function heading, void means the function does not take any parameters. For example,
int init (void)
{
return 1;
}
This is not the same as defining
int init ()
{
return 1;
}
because in the second case the compiler will not check whether the function is really called
with no arguments at all; instead, a function call with arbitrary number of arguments
will be accepted without any warnings (this is implemented only for the compatibility
with the old-style function definition syntax).
Pointers can also be declared as void. They can't be dereferenced without explicit casting.
This is because the compiler can't determine the size of the object the pointer
points to. For example,
int x; float f; void *p = &x; // p points to x *(int*)p = 2; p = &r; // p points to r *(float*)p = 1.1;
Indicates that a variable can be changed by a background routine.
Keyword volatile is an extreme opposite of const. It
indicates that a variable may be changed in a way which is absolutely unpredictable by
analysing the normal program flow (for example, a variable which may be changed by
an interrupt handler). This keyword uses the following syntax:
volatile data-definition;
Every reference to the variable will reload the contents from memory rather than take advantage of situations where a copy can be in a register.
Repeats execution while the condition is true.
Keyword while is the most general loop statemens. It uses the following syntax:
while (expression) statement
statement is executed repeatedly as long as the value of expression remains nonzero. The test takes place before each execution of the statement. For example,
while (*p == ' ') p++;
Of course, statement may be a compound statement as well.