ARM Compiler toolchain Compiler Reference: __attribute__((used)) function attribute

ARM Compiler toolchain Compiler Reference

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`attribute((used))` function attribute

This function attribute informs the compiler that a static function is to be retained in the object file, even if it is unreferenced.

Static functions marked as used are emitted to a single section, in the order they are declared. You can specify the section functions are placed in using __attribute__((section("name"))).

Functions marked with __attribute__((used)) are tagged in the object file to avoid removal by linker unused section removal.

Note

This function attribute is a GNU compiler extension that is supported by the ARM compiler.

Note

Static variables can also be marked as used using __attribute__((used)).

Example

static int lose_this(int);
static int keep_this(int) __attribute__((used));     // retained in object file
static int keep_this_too(int) __attribute__((used)); // retained in object file

See also

__attribute__((section("name"))) function attribute.
__attribute__((used)) variable attribute
Elimination of unused sections in Using the Linker.

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