Re: [RFC][PATCH] A generic boolean

ricknu-0
2006-07-19T23:17:48Z

Citerar Jeff Garzik <jeff@garzik.org>:

> ricknu-0@student.ltu.se wrote:
> > A first step to a generic boolean-type. The patch just introduce the bool
> (in
>
> Since gcc supports boolean types and can optimize for such, introducing
> bool is IMO a good thing.
Good to hear :)

> > -Why would we want it?
> > -There is already some how are depending on a "boolean"-type (like NTFS).
>
> A better reason is that there is intrinsic compiler support for booleans.
Yeah, true.

> > -Why false and not FALSE, why not "enum {...} bool"
> > -They are not #define(d) and shouldn't because it is a value, like 'a'.
> But
> > because it is just a value, then bool is just a variable and should be able
> to
> > handle 0 and 1 equally well.
> >
> > Well, this is _my_ opinion, it may be totally wrong. If so, please tell me
> ;)
>
> > Yes, I know about Andrew's try to unify TRUE and FALSE, did read the thread
> with
> > interest (that's from where I got to know about _Bool). But mostly (then
> still
> > on the subject) was some people did not want FALSE and TRUE instead of 0
> and 1.
> > I look at it as: 'a' = 97, if someone like to write 97 instead of 'a',
> please do
> > if you find it easier to read. I, on the other hand, think it is easier
> with
> > 'a', false/FALSE, NULL, etc.
>
> We should follow what C99 directs.
Yes. But I can not say I know what you are refering to. The enum vs #define,
false vs FALSE or both. May you please point me to appropriate text.

> > diff --git a/include/asm-i386/types.h b/include/asm-i386/types.h
> > index 4b4b295..e35709a 100644
> > --- a/include/asm-i386/types.h
> > +++ b/include/asm-i386/types.h
> > @@ -10,6 +10,15 @@ typedef unsigned short umode_t;
> > * header files exported to user space
> > */
> >
> > +#if defined(__GNUC__) && __GNUC__ >= 3
> > +typedef _Bool bool;
> > +#else
> > +#warning You compiler doesn't seem to support boolean types, will set
> 'bool' as
> > an 'unsigned char'
> > +typedef unsigned char bool;
> > +#endif
> > +
> > +typedef bool u2;
>
> NAK. gcc >= 3 is required by now, AFAIK.
Thanks, I forgot to remove it

> Also, you don't want to force 'unsigned char' on code, because often
> code prefers a machine integer to something smaller than a machine integer.
But isn't a bit smaller than a byte? Sorry, do not understand what you mean.

> > diff --git a/include/linux/stddef.h b/include/linux/stddef.h
> > index b3a2cad..5e5c611 100644
> > --- a/include/linux/stddef.h
> > +++ b/include/linux/stddef.h
> > @@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ #else
> > #define NULL ((void *)0)
> > #endif
> >
> > +enum { false = 0, true = 1 } __attribute__((packed));
>
> How is 'packed' attribute useful here?
Oh, nothing really. Added without thinking, nice catch.