c中inline用法详解

Language support

C++, C99, and GNU C each have support for inline functions. Different compilers vary in how complex a function they can manage to inline. Mainstream C++ compilers like Microsoft Visual C++ and GCC support an option that lets the compilers automatically inline any suitable function, even those not marked as inline functions.

An inline function can be written in C99 (see below for a problem in C99 regarding this definition) or C++ like this:

inline int max(int a, int b)
{
  return (a > b) ? a : b;
}

Then, a statement such as the following:

a = max(x, y);

may be transformed into a more direct computation:

a = (x > y) ? x : y;

Visual C++

Microsoft Visual C++ and few other compilers support non-standard constructs for defining inline functions, such as __inline and __forceinline specifiers.

• The __inline keyword is equivalent to inline.
• The __forceinline keyword allow the programmer to force the compiler to inline the function, but indiscriminate use of __forceinline can result in larger code (bloated executable file), minimum or none performance gain and in some cases even performance losses. The compiler cannot inline the function in all circumstances, even with the __forceinline keyword applied. If the compiler cannot inline a function declared with __forceinline, a warning of level 1 is generated. A list of cases when __forceinline will not take effect is listed below (based on Microsoft Specifications at MSDN):

1. The function or its caller is compiled with /Ob0 (the default option for debug builds).
2. The function and the caller use different types of exception handling (C++ exception handling in one, structured exception handling in the other).
3. The function has a variable argument list.
4. The function uses inline assembly, unless compiled with /Og, /Ox, /O1, or /O2.
5. The function is recursive and not accompanied by #pragma inline_recursion(on). With the pragma, recursive functions are inlined to a default depth of 16 calls. To reduce the inlining depth, use inline_depth pragma.
6. The function is virtual and is called virtually. Direct calls to virtual functions can be inlined.
7. The program takes the address of the function and the call is made via the pointer to the function. Direct calls to functions that have had their address taken can be inlined.
8. The function is also marked with the naked __declspec modifier.

__forceinline is useful if:

• inline or __inline is not respected by the compiler (ignored by compiler cost/benefit analyzer)
• code portability is not required
• inlining results in a necessary performance boost

Example of portable code:

#ifdef _MSC_VER
  #define INLINE __forceinline /* use __forceinline (VC++ specific) */
#else
  #define INLINE inline        /* use standard inline */
#endif
 
INLINE void helloworld() { /* function body */ }