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- =================================
- MergeFunctions pass, how it works
- =================================
- .. contents::
- :local:
- Introduction
- ============
- Sometimes code contains equal functions, or functions that does exactly the same
- thing even though they are non-equal on the IR level (e.g.: multiplication on 2
- and 'shl 1'). It could happen due to several reasons: mainly, the usage of
- templates and automatic code generators. Though, sometimes the user itself could
- write the same thing twice :-)
- The main purpose of this pass is to recognize such functions and merge them.
- This document is the extension to pass comments and describes the pass logic. It
- describes the algorithm that is used in order to compare functions and
- explains how we could combine equal functions correctly to keep the module
- valid.
- Material is brought in a top-down form, so the reader could start to learn pass
- from high level ideas and end with low-level algorithm details, thus preparing
- him or her for reading the sources.
- The main goal is to describe the algorithm and logic here and the concept. If
- you *don't want* to read the source code, but want to understand pass
- algorithms, this document is good for you. The author tries not to repeat the
- source-code and covers only common cases to avoid the cases of needing to
- update this document after any minor code changes.
- What should I know to be able to follow along with this document?
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- The reader should be familiar with common compile-engineering principles and
- LLVM code fundamentals. In this article, we assume the reader is familiar with
- `Single Static Assignment
- <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_single_assignment_form>`_
- concept and has an understanding of
- `IR structure <http://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#high-level-structure>`_.
- We will use terms such as
- "`module <http://llvm.org/docs/LangRef.html#high-level-structure>`_",
- "`function <http://llvm.org/docs/ProgrammersManual.html#the-function-class>`_",
- "`basic block <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_block>`_",
- "`user <http://llvm.org/docs/ProgrammersManual.html#the-user-class>`_",
- "`value <http://llvm.org/docs/ProgrammersManual.html#the-value-class>`_",
- "`instruction
- <http://llvm.org/docs/ProgrammersManual.html#the-instruction-class>`_".
- As a good starting point, the Kaleidoscope tutorial can be used:
- :doc:`tutorial/index`
- It's especially important to understand chapter 3 of tutorial:
- :doc:`tutorial/LangImpl03`
- The reader should also know how passes work in LLVM. They could use this
- article as a reference and start point here:
- :doc:`WritingAnLLVMPass`
- What else? Well perhaps the reader should also have some experience in LLVM pass
- debugging and bug-fixing.
- Narrative structure
- -------------------
- The article consists of three parts. The first part explains pass functionality
- on the top-level. The second part describes the comparison procedure itself.
- The third part describes the merging process.
- In every part, the author tries to put the contents in the top-down form.
- The top-level methods will first be described followed by the terminal ones at
- the end, in the tail of each part. If the reader sees the reference to the
- method that wasn't described yet, they will find its description a bit below.
- Basics
- ======
- How to do it?
- -------------
- Do we need to merge functions? The obvious answer is: Yes, that is quite a
- possible case. We usually *do* have duplicates and it would be good to get rid
- of them. But how do we detect duplicates? This is the idea: we split functions
- into smaller bricks or parts and compare the "bricks" amount. If equal,
- we compare the "bricks" themselves, and then do our conclusions about functions
- themselves.
- What could the difference be? For example, on a machine with 64-bit pointers
- (let's assume we have only one address space), one function stores a 64-bit
- integer, while another one stores a pointer. If the target is the machine
- mentioned above, and if functions are identical, except the parameter type (we
- could consider it as a part of function type), then we can treat a ``uint64_t``
- and a ``void*`` as equal.
- This is just an example; more possible details are described a bit below.
- As another example, the reader may imagine two more functions. The first
- function performs a multiplication on 2, while the second one performs an
- arithmetic right shift on 1.
- Possible solutions
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- Let's briefly consider possible options about how and what we have to implement
- in order to create full-featured functions merging, and also what it would
- mean for us.
- Equal function detection obviously supposes that a "detector" method to be
- implemented and latter should answer the question "whether functions are equal".
- This "detector" method consists of tiny "sub-detectors", which each answers
- exactly the same question, but for function parts.
- As the second step, we should merge equal functions. So it should be a "merger"
- method. "Merger" accepts two functions *F1* and *F2*, and produces *F1F2*
- function, the result of merging.
- Having such routines in our hands, we can process a whole module, and merge all
- equal functions.
- In this case, we have to compare every function with every another function. As
- the reader may notice, this way seems to be quite expensive. Of course we could
- introduce hashing and other helpers, but it is still just an optimization, and
- thus the level of O(N*N) complexity.
- Can we reach another level? Could we introduce logarithmical search, or random
- access lookup? The answer is: "yes".
- Random-access
- """""""""""""
- How it could this be done? Just convert each function to a number, and gather
- all of them in a special hash-table. Functions with equal hashes are equal.
- Good hashing means, that every function part must be taken into account. That
- means we have to convert every function part into some number, and then add it
- into the hash. The lookup-up time would be small, but such a approach adds some
- delay due to the hashing routine.
- Logarithmical search
- """"""""""""""""""""
- We could introduce total ordering among the functions set, once ordered we
- could then implement a logarithmical search. Lookup time still depends on N,
- but adds a little of delay (*log(N)*).
- Present state
- """""""""""""
- Both of the approaches (random-access and logarithmical) have been implemented
- and tested and both give a very good improvement. What was most
- surprising is that logarithmical search was faster; sometimes by up to 15%. The
- hashing method needs some extra CPU time, which is the main reason why it works
- slower; in most cases, total "hashing" time is greater than total
- "logarithmical-search" time.
- So, preference has been granted to the "logarithmical search".
- Though in the case of need, *logarithmical-search* (read "total-ordering") could
- be used as a milestone on our way to the *random-access* implementation.
- Every comparison is based either on the numbers or on the flags comparison. In
- the *random-access* approach, we could use the same comparison algorithm.
- During comparison, we exit once we find the difference, but here we might have
- to scan the whole function body every time (note, it could be slower). Like in
- "total-ordering", we will track every number and flag, but instead of
- comparison, we should get the numbers sequence and then create the hash number.
- So, once again, *total-ordering* could be considered as a milestone for even
- faster (in theory) random-access approach.
- MergeFunctions, main fields and runOnModule
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- There are two main important fields in the class:
- ``FnTree`` – the set of all unique functions. It keeps items that couldn't be
- merged with each other. It is defined as:
- ``std::set<FunctionNode> FnTree;``
- Here ``FunctionNode`` is a wrapper for ``llvm::Function`` class, with
- implemented “<” operator among the functions set (below we explain how it works
- exactly; this is a key point in fast functions comparison).
- ``Deferred`` – merging process can affect bodies of functions that are in
- ``FnTree`` already. Obviously, such functions should be rechecked again. In this
- case, we remove them from ``FnTree``, and mark them to be rescanned, namely
- put them into ``Deferred`` list.
- runOnModule
- """""""""""
- The algorithm is pretty simple:
- 1. Put all module's functions into the *worklist*.
- 2. Scan *worklist*'s functions twice: first enumerate only strong functions and
- then only weak ones:
- 2.1. Loop body: take a function from *worklist* (call it *FCur*) and try to
- insert it into *FnTree*: check whether *FCur* is equal to one of functions
- in *FnTree*. If there *is* an equal function in *FnTree*
- (call it *FExists*): merge function *FCur* with *FExists*. Otherwise add
- the function from the *worklist* to *FnTree*.
- 3. Once the *worklist* scanning and merging operations are complete, check the
- *Deferred* list. If it is not empty: refill the *worklist* contents with
- *Deferred* list and redo step 2, if the *Deferred* list is empty, then exit
- from method.
- Comparison and logarithmical search
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- Let's recall our task: for every function *F* from module *M*, we have to find
- equal functions *F`* in the shortest time possible , and merge them into a
- single function.
- Defining total ordering among the functions set allows us to organize
- functions into a binary tree. The lookup procedure complexity would be
- estimated as O(log(N)) in this case. But how do we define *total-ordering*?
- We have to introduce a single rule applicable to every pair of functions, and
- following this rule, then evaluate which of them is greater. What kind of rule
- could it be? Let's declare it as the "compare" method that returns one of 3
- possible values:
- -1, left is *less* than right,
- 0, left and right are *equal*,
- 1, left is *greater* than right.
- Of course it means, that we have to maintain
- *strict and non-strict order relation properties*:
- * reflexivity (``a <= a``, ``a == a``, ``a >= a``),
- * antisymmetry (if ``a <= b`` and ``b <= a`` then ``a == b``),
- * transitivity (``a <= b`` and ``b <= c``, then ``a <= c``)
- * asymmetry (if ``a < b``, then ``a > b`` or ``a == b``).
- As mentioned before, the comparison routine consists of
- "sub-comparison-routines", with each of them also consisting of
- "sub-comparison-routines", and so on. Finally, it ends up with primitive
- comparison.
- Below, we will use the following operations:
- #. ``cmpNumbers(number1, number2)`` is a method that returns -1 if left is less
- than right; 0, if left and right are equal; and 1 otherwise.
- #. ``cmpFlags(flag1, flag2)`` is a hypothetical method that compares two flags.
- The logic is the same as in ``cmpNumbers``, where ``true`` is 1, and
- ``false`` is 0.
- The rest of the article is based on *MergeFunctions.cpp* source code
- (found in *<llvm_dir>/lib/Transforms/IPO/MergeFunctions.cpp*). We would like
- to ask reader to keep this file open, so we could use it as a reference
- for further explanations.
- Now, we're ready to proceed to the next chapter and see how it works.
- Functions comparison
- ====================
- At first, let's define how exactly we compare complex objects.
- Complex object comparison (function, basic-block, etc) is mostly based on its
- sub-object comparison results. It is similar to the next "tree" objects
- comparison:
- #. For two trees *T1* and *T2* we perform *depth-first-traversal* and have
- two sequences as a product: "*T1Items*" and "*T2Items*".
- #. We then compare chains "*T1Items*" and "*T2Items*" in
- the most-significant-item-first order. The result of items comparison
- would be the result of *T1* and *T2* comparison itself.
- FunctionComparator::compare(void)
- ---------------------------------
- A brief look at the source code tells us that the comparison starts in the
- “``int FunctionComparator::compare(void)``” method.
- 1. The first parts to be compared are the function's attributes and some
- properties that is outside the “attributes” term, but still could make the
- function different without changing its body. This part of the comparison is
- usually done within simple *cmpNumbers* or *cmpFlags* operations (e.g.
- ``cmpFlags(F1->hasGC(), F2->hasGC())``). Below is a full list of function's
- properties to be compared on this stage:
- * *Attributes* (those are returned by ``Function::getAttributes()``
- method).
- * *GC*, for equivalence, *RHS* and *LHS* should be both either without
- *GC* or with the same one.
- * *Section*, just like a *GC*: *RHS* and *LHS* should be defined in the
- same section.
- * *Variable arguments*. *LHS* and *RHS* should be both either with or
- without *var-args*.
- * *Calling convention* should be the same.
- 2. Function type. Checked by ``FunctionComparator::cmpType(Type*, Type*)``
- method. It checks return type and parameters type; the method itself will be
- described later.
- 3. Associate function formal parameters with each other. Then comparing function
- bodies, if we see the usage of *LHS*'s *i*-th argument in *LHS*'s body, then,
- we want to see usage of *RHS*'s *i*-th argument at the same place in *RHS*'s
- body, otherwise functions are different. On this stage we grant the preference
- to those we met later in function body (value we met first would be *less*).
- This is done by “``FunctionComparator::cmpValues(const Value*, const Value*)``”
- method (will be described a bit later).
- 4. Function body comparison. As it written in method comments:
- “We do a CFG-ordered walk since the actual ordering of the blocks in the linked
- list is immaterial. Our walk starts at the entry block for both functions, then
- takes each block from each terminator in order. As an artifact, this also means
- that unreachable blocks are ignored.”
- So, using this walk we get BBs from *left* and *right* in the same order, and
- compare them by “``FunctionComparator::compare(const BasicBlock*, const
- BasicBlock*)``” method.
- We also associate BBs with each other, like we did it with function formal
- arguments (see ``cmpValues`` method below).
- FunctionComparator::cmpType
- ---------------------------
- Consider how type comparison works.
- 1. Coerce pointer to integer. If left type is a pointer, try to coerce it to the
- integer type. It could be done if its address space is 0, or if address spaces
- are ignored at all. Do the same thing for the right type.
- 2. If left and right types are equal, return 0. Otherwise we need to give
- preference to one of them. So proceed to the next step.
- 3. If types are of different kind (different type IDs). Return result of type
- IDs comparison, treating them as numbers (use ``cmpNumbers`` operation).
- 4. If types are vectors or integers, return result of their pointers comparison,
- comparing them as numbers.
- 5. Check whether type ID belongs to the next group (call it equivalent-group):
- * Void
- * Float
- * Double
- * X86_FP80
- * FP128
- * PPC_FP128
- * Label
- * Metadata.
- If ID belongs to group above, return 0. Since it's enough to see that
- types has the same ``TypeID``. No additional information is required.
- 6. Left and right are pointers. Return result of address space comparison
- (numbers comparison).
- 7. Complex types (structures, arrays, etc.). Follow complex objects comparison
- technique (see the very first paragraph of this chapter). Both *left* and
- *right* are to be expanded and their element types will be checked the same
- way. If we get -1 or 1 on some stage, return it. Otherwise return 0.
- 8. Steps 1-6 describe all the possible cases, if we passed steps 1-6 and didn't
- get any conclusions, then invoke ``llvm_unreachable``, since it's quite an
- unexpectable case.
- cmpValues(const Value*, const Value*)
- -------------------------------------
- Method that compares local values.
- This method gives us an answer to a very curious question: whether we could
- treat local values as equal, and which value is greater otherwise. It's
- better to start from example:
- Consider the situation when we're looking at the same place in left
- function "*FL*" and in right function "*FR*". Every part of *left* place is
- equal to the corresponding part of *right* place, and (!) both parts use
- *Value* instances, for example:
- .. code-block:: text
- instr0 i32 %LV ; left side, function FL
- instr0 i32 %RV ; right side, function FR
- So, now our conclusion depends on *Value* instances comparison.
- The main purpose of this method is to determine relation between such values.
- What can we expect from equal functions? At the same place, in functions
- "*FL*" and "*FR*" we expect to see *equal* values, or values *defined* at
- the same place in "*FL*" and "*FR*".
- Consider a small example here:
- .. code-block:: text
- define void %f(i32 %pf0, i32 %pf1) {
- instr0 i32 %pf0 instr1 i32 %pf1 instr2 i32 123
- }
- .. code-block:: text
- define void %g(i32 %pg0, i32 %pg1) {
- instr0 i32 %pg0 instr1 i32 %pg0 instr2 i32 123
- }
- In this example, *pf0* is associated with *pg0*, *pf1* is associated with
- *pg1*, and we also declare that *pf0* < *pf1*, and thus *pg0* < *pf1*.
- Instructions with opcode "*instr0*" would be *equal*, since their types and
- opcodes are equal, and values are *associated*.
- Instructions with opcode "*instr1*" from *f* is *greater* than instructions
- with opcode "*instr1*" from *g*; here we have equal types and opcodes, but
- "*pf1* is greater than "*pg0*".
- Instructions with opcode "*instr2*" are equal, because their opcodes and
- types are equal, and the same constant is used as a value.
- What we associate in cmpValues?
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- * Function arguments. *i*-th argument from left function associated with
- *i*-th argument from right function.
- * BasicBlock instances. In basic-block enumeration loop we associate *i*-th
- BasicBlock from the left function with *i*-th BasicBlock from the right
- function.
- * Instructions.
- * Instruction operands. Note, we can meet *Value* here we have never seen
- before. In this case it is not a function argument, nor *BasicBlock*, nor
- *Instruction*. It is a global value. It is a constant, since it's the only
- supposed global here. The method also compares: Constants that are of the
- same type and if right constant can be losslessly bit-casted to the left
- one, then we also compare them.
- How to implement cmpValues?
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- *Association* is a case of equality for us. We just treat such values as equal,
- but, in general, we need to implement antisymmetric relation. As mentioned
- above, to understand what is *less*, we can use order in which we
- meet values. If both values have the same order in a function (met at the same
- time), we then treat values as *associated*. Otherwise – it depends on who was
- first.
- Every time we run the top-level compare method, we initialize two identical
- maps (one for the left side, another one for the right side):
- ``map<Value, int> sn_mapL, sn_mapR;``
- The key of the map is the *Value* itself, the *value* – is its order (call it
- *serial number*).
- To add value *V* we need to perform the next procedure:
- ``sn_map.insert(std::make_pair(V, sn_map.size()));``
- For the first *Value*, map will return *0*, for the second *Value* map will
- return *1*, and so on.
- We can then check whether left and right values met at the same time with
- a simple comparison:
- ``cmpNumbers(sn_mapL[Left], sn_mapR[Right]);``
- Of course, we can combine insertion and comparison:
- .. code-block:: c++
- std::pair<iterator, bool>
- LeftRes = sn_mapL.insert(std::make_pair(Left, sn_mapL.size())), RightRes
- = sn_mapR.insert(std::make_pair(Right, sn_mapR.size()));
- return cmpNumbers(LeftRes.first->second, RightRes.first->second);
- Let's look, how whole method could be implemented.
- 1. We have to start with the bad news. Consider function self and
- cross-referencing cases:
- .. code-block:: c++
- // self-reference unsigned fact0(unsigned n) { return n > 1 ? n
- * fact0(n-1) : 1; } unsigned fact1(unsigned n) { return n > 1 ? n *
- fact1(n-1) : 1; }
- // cross-reference unsigned ping(unsigned n) { return n!= 0 ? pong(n-1) : 0;
- } unsigned pong(unsigned n) { return n!= 0 ? ping(n-1) : 0; }
- ..
- This comparison has been implemented in initial *MergeFunctions* pass
- version. But, unfortunately, it is not transitive. And this is the only case
- we can't convert to less-equal-greater comparison. It is a seldom case, 4-5
- functions of 10000 (checked in test-suite), and, we hope, the reader would
- forgive us for such a sacrifice in order to get the O(log(N)) pass time.
- 2. If left/right *Value* is a constant, we have to compare them. Return 0 if it
- is the same constant, or use ``cmpConstants`` method otherwise.
- 3. If left/right is *InlineAsm* instance. Return result of *Value* pointers
- comparison.
- 4. Explicit association of *L* (left value) and *R* (right value). We need to
- find out whether values met at the same time, and thus are *associated*. Or we
- need to put the rule: when we treat *L* < *R*. Now it is easy: we just return
- the result of numbers comparison:
- .. code-block:: c++
- std::pair<iterator, bool>
- LeftRes = sn_mapL.insert(std::make_pair(Left, sn_mapL.size())),
- RightRes = sn_mapR.insert(std::make_pair(Right, sn_mapR.size()));
- if (LeftRes.first->second == RightRes.first->second) return 0;
- if (LeftRes.first->second < RightRes.first->second) return -1;
- return 1;
- Now when *cmpValues* returns 0, we can proceed the comparison procedure.
- Otherwise, if we get (-1 or 1), we need to pass this result to the top level,
- and finish comparison procedure.
- cmpConstants
- ------------
- Performs constants comparison as follows:
- 1. Compare constant types using ``cmpType`` method. If the result is -1 or 1,
- goto step 2, otherwise proceed to step 3.
- 2. If types are different, we still can check whether constants could be
- losslessly bitcasted to each other. The further explanation is modification of
- ``canLosslesslyBitCastTo`` method.
- 2.1 Check whether constants are of the first class types
- (``isFirstClassType`` check):
- 2.1.1. If both constants are *not* of the first class type: return result
- of ``cmpType``.
- 2.1.2. Otherwise, if left type is not of the first class, return -1. If
- right type is not of the first class, return 1.
- 2.1.3. If both types are of the first class type, proceed to the next step
- (2.1.3.1).
- 2.1.3.1. If types are vectors, compare their bitwidth using the
- *cmpNumbers*. If result is not 0, return it.
- 2.1.3.2. Different types, but not a vectors:
- * if both of them are pointers, good for us, we can proceed to step 3.
- * if one of types is pointer, return result of *isPointer* flags
- comparison (*cmpFlags* operation).
- * otherwise we have no methods to prove bitcastability, and thus return
- result of types comparison (-1 or 1).
- Steps below are for the case when types are equal, or case when constants are
- bitcastable:
- 3. One of constants is a "*null*" value. Return the result of
- ``cmpFlags(L->isNullValue, R->isNullValue)`` comparison.
- 4. Compare value IDs, and return result if it is not 0:
- .. code-block:: c++
- if (int Res = cmpNumbers(L->getValueID(), R->getValueID()))
- return Res;
- 5. Compare the contents of constants. The comparison depends on the kind of
- constants, but on this stage it is just a lexicographical comparison. Just see
- how it was described in the beginning of "*Functions comparison*" paragraph.
- Mathematically, it is equal to the next case: we encode left constant and right
- constant (with similar way *bitcode-writer* does). Then compare left code
- sequence and right code sequence.
- compare(const BasicBlock*, const BasicBlock*)
- ---------------------------------------------
- Compares two *BasicBlock* instances.
- It enumerates instructions from left *BB* and right *BB*.
- 1. It assigns serial numbers to the left and right instructions, using
- ``cmpValues`` method.
- 2. If one of left or right is *GEP* (``GetElementPtr``), then treat *GEP* as
- greater than other instructions. If both instructions are *GEPs* use ``cmpGEP``
- method for comparison. If result is -1 or 1, pass it to the top-level
- comparison (return it).
- 3.1. Compare operations. Call ``cmpOperation`` method. If result is -1 or
- 1, return it.
- 3.2. Compare number of operands, if result is -1 or 1, return it.
- 3.3. Compare operands themselves, use ``cmpValues`` method. Return result
- if it is -1 or 1.
- 3.4. Compare type of operands, using ``cmpType`` method. Return result if
- it is -1 or 1.
- 3.5. Proceed to the next instruction.
- 4. We can finish instruction enumeration in 3 cases:
- 4.1. We reached the end of both left and right basic-blocks. We didn't
- exit on steps 1-3, so contents are equal, return 0.
- 4.2. We have reached the end of the left basic-block. Return -1.
- 4.3. Return 1 (we reached the end of the right basic block).
- cmpGEP
- ------
- Compares two GEPs (``getelementptr`` instructions).
- It differs from regular operations comparison with the only thing: possibility
- to use ``accumulateConstantOffset`` method.
- So, if we get constant offset for both left and right *GEPs*, then compare it as
- numbers, and return comparison result.
- Otherwise treat it like a regular operation (see previous paragraph).
- cmpOperation
- ------------
- Compares instruction opcodes and some important operation properties.
- 1. Compare opcodes, if it differs return the result.
- 2. Compare number of operands. If it differs – return the result.
- 3. Compare operation types, use *cmpType*. All the same – if types are
- different, return result.
- 4. Compare *subclassOptionalData*, get it with ``getRawSubclassOptionalData``
- method, and compare it like a numbers.
- 5. Compare operand types.
- 6. For some particular instructions, check equivalence (relation in our case) of
- some significant attributes. For example, we have to compare alignment for
- ``load`` instructions.
- O(log(N))
- ---------
- Methods described above implement order relationship. And latter, could be used
- for nodes comparison in a binary tree. So we can organize functions set into
- the binary tree and reduce the cost of lookup procedure from
- O(N*N) to O(log(N)).
- Merging process, mergeTwoFunctions
- ==================================
- Once *MergeFunctions* detected that current function (*G*) is equal to one that
- were analyzed before (function *F*) it calls ``mergeTwoFunctions(Function*,
- Function*)``.
- Operation affects ``FnTree`` contents with next way: *F* will stay in
- ``FnTree``. *G* being equal to *F* will not be added to ``FnTree``. Calls of
- *G* would be replaced with something else. It changes bodies of callers. So,
- functions that calls *G* would be put into ``Deferred`` set and removed from
- ``FnTree``, and analyzed again.
- The approach is next:
- 1. Most wished case: when we can use alias and both of *F* and *G* are weak. We
- make both of them with aliases to the third strong function *H*. Actually *H*
- is *F*. See below how it's made (but it's better to look straight into the
- source code). Well, this is a case when we can just replace *G* with *F*
- everywhere, we use ``replaceAllUsesWith`` operation here (*RAUW*).
- 2. *F* could not be overridden, while *G* could. It would be good to do the
- next: after merging the places where overridable function were used, still use
- overridable stub. So try to make *G* alias to *F*, or create overridable tail
- call wrapper around *F* and replace *G* with that call.
- 3. Neither *F* nor *G* could be overridden. We can't use *RAUW*. We can just
- change the callers: call *F* instead of *G*. That's what
- ``replaceDirectCallers`` does.
- Below is a detailed body description.
- If “F” may be overridden
- ------------------------
- As follows from ``mayBeOverridden`` comments: “whether the definition of this
- global may be replaced by something non-equivalent at link time”. If so, that's
- ok: we can use alias to *F* instead of *G* or change call instructions itself.
- HasGlobalAliases, removeUsers
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- First consider the case when we have global aliases of one function name to
- another. Our purpose is make both of them with aliases to the third strong
- function. Though if we keep *F* alive and without major changes we can leave it
- in ``FnTree``. Try to combine these two goals.
- Do stub replacement of *F* itself with an alias to *F*.
- 1. Create stub function *H*, with the same name and attributes like function
- *F*. It takes maximum alignment of *F* and *G*.
- 2. Replace all uses of function *F* with uses of function *H*. It is the two
- steps procedure instead. First of all, we must take into account, all functions
- from whom *F* is called would be changed: since we change the call argument
- (from *F* to *H*). If so we must to review these caller functions again after
- this procedure. We remove callers from ``FnTree``, method with name
- ``removeUsers(F)`` does that (don't confuse with ``replaceAllUsesWith``):
- 2.1. ``Inside removeUsers(Value*
- V)`` we go through the all values that use value *V* (or *F* in our context).
- If value is instruction, we go to function that holds this instruction and
- mark it as to-be-analyzed-again (put to ``Deferred`` set), we also remove
- caller from ``FnTree``.
- 2.2. Now we can do the replacement: call ``F->replaceAllUsesWith(H)``.
- 3. *H* (that now "officially" plays *F*'s role) is replaced with alias to *F*.
- Do the same with *G*: replace it with alias to *F*. So finally everywhere *F*
- was used, we use *H* and it is alias to *F*, and everywhere *G* was used we
- also have alias to *F*.
- 4. Set *F* linkage to private. Make it strong :-)
- No global aliases, replaceDirectCallers
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- If global aliases are not supported. We call ``replaceDirectCallers``. Just
- go through all calls of *G* and replace it with calls of *F*. If you look into
- the method you will see that it scans all uses of *G* too, and if use is callee
- (if user is call instruction and *G* is used as what to be called), we replace
- it with use of *F*.
- If “F” could not be overridden, fix it!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- We call ``writeThunkOrAlias(Function *F, Function *G)``. Here we try to replace
- *G* with alias to *F* first. The next conditions are essential:
- * target should support global aliases,
- * the address itself of *G* should be not significant, not named and not
- referenced anywhere,
- * function should come with external, local or weak linkage.
- Otherwise we write thunk: some wrapper that has *G's* interface and calls *F*,
- so *G* could be replaced with this wrapper.
- *writeAlias*
- As follows from *llvm* reference:
- “Aliases act as *second name* for the aliasee value”. So we just want to create
- a second name for *F* and use it instead of *G*:
- 1. create global alias itself (*GA*),
- 2. adjust alignment of *F* so it must be maximum of current and *G's* alignment;
- 3. replace uses of *G*:
- 3.1. first mark all callers of *G* as to-be-analyzed-again, using
- ``removeUsers`` method (see chapter above),
- 3.2. call ``G->replaceAllUsesWith(GA)``.
- 4. Get rid of *G*.
- *writeThunk*
- As it written in method comments:
- “Replace G with a simple tail call to bitcast(F). Also replace direct uses of G
- with bitcast(F). Deletes G.”
- In general it does the same as usual when we want to replace callee, except the
- first point:
- 1. We generate tail call wrapper around *F*, but with interface that allows use
- it instead of *G*.
- 2. “As-usual”: ``removeUsers`` and ``replaceAllUsesWith`` then.
- 3. Get rid of *G*.
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