[clang] Add clang/docs/FunctionEffectAnalysis.rst. (PR #109855)

via cfe-commits cfe-commits at lists.llvm.org
Thu Sep 26 05:09:38 PDT 2024


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+========================
+Function Effect Analysis
+========================
+
+Introduction
+============
+
+Clang Function Effect Analysis is a C++ language extension which can warn about "unsafe"
+constructs. The feature is currently tailored for the Performance Constraint attributes,
+``nonblocking`` and ``nonallocating``; functions with these attributes are verified as not
+containing any language constructs or calls to other functions which violate the constraint.
+(See :doc:`AttributeReference`.)
+
+
+The ``nonblocking`` and ``nonallocating`` attributes
+====================================================
+
+Attribute syntax
+----------------
+
+The ``nonblocking`` and ``nonallocating`` attributes apply to function types, allowing them to be
+attached to functions, blocks, function pointers, lambdas, and member functions.
+
+.. code-block:: c++
+
+  // Functions
+  void nonblockingFunction() [[clang::nonblocking]];
+  void nonallocatingFunction() [[clang::nonallocating]];
+
+  // Function pointers
+  void (*nonblockingFunctionPtr)() [[clang::nonblocking]];
+
+  // Typedefs, type aliases.
+  typedef void (*NBFunctionPtrTypedef)() [[clang::nonblocking]];
+  using NBFunctionPtrTypeAlias_gnu = __attribute__((nonblocking)) void (*)();
+  using NBFunctionPtrTypeAlias_std = void (*)() [[clang::nonblocking]];
+
+  // C++ methods
+  struct Struct {
+    void NBMethod() [[clang::nonblocking]];
+  };
+
+  // C++ lambdas
+  auto nbLambda = []() [[clang::nonblocking]] {};
+
+  // Blocks
+  void (^nbBlock)() = ^() [[clang::nonblocking]] {};
+
+The attribute applies only to the function itself. In particular, it does not apply to any nested
+functions or declarations, such as blocks, lambdas, and local classes.
+
+This document uses the C++/C23 syntax ``[[clang::nonblocking]]``, since it parallels the placement 
+of the ``noexcept`` specifier, and the attributes have other similarities to ``noexcept``. The GNU
+``__attribute__((nonblocking))`` syntax is also supported. Note that it requires a different 
+placement on a C++ type alias.
+
+Like ``noexcept``, ``nonblocking`` and ``nonallocating`` have an optional argument, a compile-time
+constant boolean expression. By default, the argument is true, so ``[[clang::nonblocking(true)]]``
+is equivalent to ``[[clang::nonblocking]]``, and declares the function type as never locking.
+
+
+Attribute semantics
+-------------------
+
+Together with ``noexcept``, the ``nonallocating`` and ``nonblocking`` attributes define an ordered
+series of performance constraints. From weakest to strongest:
+
+- ``noexcept`` (as per the C++ standard): The function type will never throw an exception.
+- ``nonallocating``: The function type will never allocate memory on the heap, and never throw an
+  exception.
+- ``nonblocking``: The function type will never block on a lock, never allocate memory on the heap,
+  and never throw an exception.
+
+``nonblocking`` includes the ``nonallocating`` guarantee. 
+
+``nonblocking`` and ``nonallocating`` include the ``noexcept`` guarantee, but the presence of either
+attribute does not implicitly specify ``noexcept``. (It would be inappropriate for a Clang 
+attribute, ignored by non-Clang compilers, to imply a standard language feature.)
----------------
Sirraide wrote:

I’d mention that, despite that, there is a warning to tell users to add `noexcept` if either attribute is specified.

https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/pull/109855


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