[llvm-dev] [RFC] Leaf Attribute Support in Clang/LLVM

[Gulfem Savrun Yeniceri via llvm-dev]

Hi all,


Introduction:

   -

   This RFC proposes adding __attribute__((leaf)) support into Clang/LLVM


Motivation:

   -

   GCC supports __attribute__((leaf)) as an optimization hint described in:

https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-4.7.1/gcc/Function-Attributes.html

   -

   Fuchsia uses leaf attribute in syscalls, but this attribute is currently
   only supported in GCC.
   -

   We would like to implement support for this attribute in Clang/LLVM as
   well.


   -

   This support can benefit Clang/LLVM in two ways:
   -

      Achieve feature parity with GCC
      -

      Compiler hint to improve data-flow analysis


High Level Design (WIP):

   -

   Support __attribute__((leaf)) in Clang
   -

   Add a new LLVM IR attribute called nocallback
   -

   Modify Clang code generator to generate nocallback attribute for leaf
   attribute
   -

   We choose the name nocallback instead of leaf to avoid confusion. Leaf
   attribute does not necessarily mean leaf function in the sense that it does
   not call any other functions. As stated in GCC manual, leaf functions are
   not allowed to enter their caller's translation unit.


Please let us know about your thoughts regarding this RFC.

I also prepared a patch, so please let us know if you have any feedback.

https://reviews.llvm.org/D90275


Best,


Gülfem
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