[clang] 6a10d1d - [clang][docs] assert.h is not a good candidate for a textual header (#165057)

[via cfe-commits]

Author: Ian Anderson
Date: 2025-10-30T10:54:14-07:00
New Revision: 6a10d1dab01f424a5baaabde150d26acfd8fe48e

URL: https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/commit/6a10d1dab01f424a5baaabde150d26acfd8fe48e
DIFF: https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/commit/6a10d1dab01f424a5baaabde150d26acfd8fe48e.diff

LOG: [clang][docs] assert.h is not a good candidate for a textual header (#165057)

The C standard behavior of `assert` cannot be accomplished with clang
modules, either as a normal modular header, or a textual header.

As a normal modular header:
#define NDEBUG
#include <assert.h>
This pattern doesn't work, NDEBUG has to be passed on the command line
to take effect, and then will effect all `assert`s in the includer.

As a textual header:
#define NDEBUG
#include <modular_header_that_has_an_assert.h>
This pattern doesn't work for similar reasons,
modular_header_that_has_an_assert.h captured the value of NDEBUG when
its module built and won't pick it up from the includer. -DNDEBUG can be
passed when building the module, but will similarly effect the entire
module. This has the additional problem that every module will contain a
declaration for `assert`, which can possibly conflict with each other if
they use different values of NDEBUG.

So really <assert.h> just doesn't work properly with clang modules.
Avoid the issue by not mentioning it in the Modules documentation, and
use "X macros" as the example for textual headers.

Don't use [extern_c] in the example modules, that should very rarely be
used. Don't put multiple `header` declarations in a submodule, that has
the confusing effect of "fusing" the headers. e.g. <sys/errno.h> does
not include <errno.h>, but if it's in the same submodule, then an
`#include <sys/errno.h>` will mysteriously also include <errno.h>.

Added: 
    

Modified: 
    clang/docs/Modules.rst

Removed: 
    


################################################################################
diff  --git a/clang/docs/Modules.rst b/clang/docs/Modules.rst
index acbe45e0be970..e45ee9ff9eac2 100644
--- a/clang/docs/Modules.rst
+++ b/clang/docs/Modules.rst
@@ -421,13 +421,7 @@ As an example, the module map file for the C standard library might look a bit l
 
 .. parsed-literal::
 
-  module std [system] [extern_c] {
-    module assert {
-      textual header "assert.h"
-      header "bits/assert-decls.h"
-      export *
-    }
-
+  module std [system] {
     module complex {
       header "complex.h"
       export *
@@ -440,7 +434,6 @@ As an example, the module map file for the C standard library might look a bit l
 
     module errno {
       header "errno.h"
-      header "sys/errno.h"
       export *
     }
 
@@ -673,14 +666,14 @@ of checking *use-declaration*\s, and must still be a lexically-valid header
 file. In the future, we intend to pre-tokenize such headers and include the
 token sequence within the prebuilt module representation.
 
-A header with the ``exclude`` specifier is excluded from the module. It will not be included when the module is built, nor will it be considered to be part of the module, even if an ``umbrella`` header or directory would otherwise make it part of the module.
+A header with the ``exclude`` specifier is excluded from the module. It will not be included when the module is built, nor will it be considered to be part of the module, even if an ``umbrella`` directory would otherwise make it part of the module.
 
-**Example:** The C header ``assert.h`` is an excellent candidate for a textual header, because it is meant to be included multiple times (possibly with 
diff erent ``NDEBUG`` settings). However, declarations within it should typically be split into a separate modular header.
+**Example:** A "X macro" header is an excellent candidate for a textual header, because it is can't be compiled standalone, and by itself does not contain any declarations.
 
 .. parsed-literal::
 
-  module std [system] {
-    textual header "assert.h"
+  module MyLib [system] {
+    textual header "xmacros.h"
   }
 
 A given header shall not be referenced by more than one *header-declaration*.