The dylan-primitives Module

Runtime System Functions

Primitives for Machine Information

primitive-read-cycle-counter Primitive
Signature:

() => (cycle-count)

Values:

  • cycle-count – An instance of <raw-machine-word>.

Discussion:

On x86 and x86_64 architectures, this is equivalent to calling the rdtsc instruction. For full precision, this should only be used on 64 bit builds.

This is equivalent to using the LLVM intrinsic llvm.readcyclecounter or the Clang built-in __builtin_readcyclecounter.

This has not been implemented in the HARP back-end.

primitive-read-return-address Primitive
Signature:

() => (return-address)

Values:

  • return-address – An instance of <raw-machine-word>.

Discussion:

Returns the address to which the current function will return when it exits. This yields the address of the code which invoked the current function.

For best results, invoke this primitive within a function which has been prevented from being inlined.

This is equivalent to using the LLVM intrinsic llvm.returnaddress or the Clang and GCC built-in __builtin_return_address.

This has not been implemented in the HARP back-end.

Primitive Functions for the threads library

This section describes in detail the arguments, values, and operations of the primitive functions.

Threads

primitive-make-thread Primitive
Signature:

(thread :: <thread>, function :: <function>) => ()

Parameters:

  • thread – An instance of <thread>.

  • function – The initial function to run after the thread is created. An instance of <function>.

Discussion:

Creates a new OS thread and destructively modifies the container slots in the Dylan thread object with the handles of the new OS thread. The new OS thread is started in a way which calls the supplied Dylan function.

primitive-destroy-thread Primitive
Signature:

(thread :: <thread>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Frees any runtime-allocated memory associated with the thread.

primitive-initialize-current-thread Primitive
Signature:

(thread :: <thread>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

The container slots in the Dylan thread object are destructively modified with the handles of the current OS thread. This function will be used to initialize the first thread, which will not have been started as the result of a call to primitive-make-thread.

primitive-thread-join-single Primitive
Signature:

(thread :: <thread>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – An instance of <integer>. 0 = ok, anything else is an error, corresponding to a multiple join.

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks (if necessary) until the specified thread has terminated.

primitive-thread-join-multiple Primitive
Signature:

(thread-vector :: <simple-object-vector>) => (result)

Parameters:
Values:

  • result – The <thread> that was joined, if the join was successful; otherwise, a <integer> indicating the error.

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks (if necessary) until one of the specified threads has terminated.

primitive-thread-yield Primitive
Signature:

() => ()

Discussion:

For co-operatively scheduled threads implementations, the calling thread yields execution in favor of another thread. This may do nothing in some implementations.

primitive-current-thread Primitive
Signature:

() => (thread-handle)

Values:

  • thread-handle – A low-level handle corresponding to the current thread

Discussion:

Returns the low-level handle of the current thread, which is assumed to be in the handle container slot of one of the <thread> objects known to the Dylan library. This result is therefore NOT a Dylan object. The mapping from this value back to the <thread> object must be performed by the Dylan threads library, and not the primitive layer, because the <thread> object is subject to garbage collection, and may not be referenced from any low-level data structures.

Simple Locks

primitive-make-simple-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, name :: false-or(<byte-string>)) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Creates a new OS lock and destructively modifies the container slot in the Dylan lock object with the handle of the new OS lock.

primitive-destroy-simple-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Frees any runtime-allocated memory associated with the lock.

primitive-wait-for-simple-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until the specified lock is available (unlocked) and then locks it. When the function returns, the lock is owned by the calling thread.

primitive-wait-for-simple-lock-timed Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, millisecs :: <integer>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:

  • lock – An instance of <simple-lock>.

  • millisecs – Timeout period in milliseconds

Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 1 = timeout expired

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until either the specified lock is available (unlocked) or the timeout period expires. If the lock becomes available, this function locks it. If the function returns 0, the lock is owned by the calling thread, otherwise a timeout occurred.

primitive-release-simple-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 2 = not locked

Discussion:

Unlocks the specified lock. The lock must be owned by the calling thread, otherwise the result indicates “not locked”.

primitive-owned-simple-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (owned :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • owned – 0= not owned, 1 = owned

Discussion:

Returns 1 if the specified lock is owned (locked) by the calling thread.

Recursive Locks

primitive-make-recursive-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, name :: false-or(<byte-string>)) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Creates a new OS lock and destructively modifies the container slot in the Dylan lock object with the handle of the new OS lock.

primitive-destroy-recursive-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Frees any runtime-allocated memory associated with the lock.

primitive-wait-for-recursive-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until the specified lock is available (unlocked or already locked by the calling thread). When the lock becomes available, this function claims ownership of the lock and increments the lock count. When the function returns, the lock is owned by the calling thread.

primitive-wait-for-recursive-lock-timed Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, millisecs :: <integer>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:

  • lock – An instance of <recursive-lock>.

  • millisecs – Timeout period in milliseconds

Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 1 = timeout expired

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until the specified lock is available (unlocked or already locked by the calling thread). If the lock becomes available, this function claims ownership of the lock, increments an internal lock count, and returns 0. If a timeout occurs, the function leaves the lock unmodified and returns 1.

primitive-release-recursive-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 2 = not locked

Discussion:

Checks that the lock is owned by the calling thread, and returns 2 if not. If the lock is owned, its internal count is decremented by 1. If the count is then zero, the lock is then released.

primitive-owned-recursive-lock Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (owned :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • owned – 0= not owned, 1 = owned

Discussion:

Returns 1 if the specified lock is locked and owned by the calling thread.

Semaphores

primitive-make-semaphore Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, name :: false-or(<byte-string>), initial :: <integer>, max :: <integer>) => ()

Parameters:

  • lock – An instance of <semaphore>.

  • name – The name of the lock (as a <byte-string>) or #f.

  • initial – The initial value for the semaphore count.

Discussion:

Creates a new OS semaphore with the specified initial count and destructively modifies the container slot in the Dylan lock object with the handle of the new OS semaphore.

primitive-destroy-semaphore Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Frees any runtime-allocated memory associated with the semaphore.

primitive-wait-for-semaphore Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until the internal count of the specified semaphore becomes greater than zero. It then decrements the semaphore count.

primitive-wait-for-semaphore-timed Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>, millisecs :: <integer>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:

  • lock – An instance of <semaphore>.

  • millisecs – Timeout period in milliseconds

Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 1 = timeout expired

Discussion:

The calling thread blocks until either the internal count of the specified semaphore becomes greater than zero or the timeout period expires. In the former case, the function decrements the semaphore count and returns 0. In the latter case, the function returns 1.

primitive-release-semaphore Primitive
Signature:

(lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 3 = count exceeded

Discussion:

This function checks that internal count of the semaphore is not at its maximum limit, and returns 3 if the test fails. Otherwise the internal count is incremented.

Notifications

primitive-make-notification Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>, name :: false-or(<byte-string>)) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Creates a new OS notification (condition variable) and destructively modifies the container slot in the Dylan lock object with the handle of the new OS notification.

primitive-destroy-notification Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>) => ()

Parameters:
Discussion:

Frees any runtime-allocated memory associated with the notification.

primitive-wait-for-notification Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>, lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 2 = not locked, 3 = other error

Discussion:

The function checks that the specified lock is owned by the calling thread, and returns 2 if the test fails. Otherwise, the calling thread atomically releases the lock and then blocks, waiting to be notified of the condition represented by the specified notification. When the calling thread is notified of the condition, the function reclaims ownership of the lock, blocking if necessary, before returning 0.

primitive-wait-for-notification-timed Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>, lock :: <portable-container>, millisecs :: <integer>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 1 = timeout, 2 = not locked, 3 = other error

Discussion:

The function checks that the specified lock is owned by the calling thread, and returns 2 if the test fails. Otherwise, the calling thread atomically releases the lock and then blocks, waiting to be notified of the condition represented by the specified notification, or for the timeout period to expire. The function then reclaims ownership of the lock, blocking indefinitely if necessary, before returning either 0 or 1 to indicate whether a timeout occurred.

primitive-release-notification Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>, lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 2 = not locked

Discussion:

If the calling thread does not own the specified lock, the function returns the error value 2. Otherwise, the function releases the specified notification, notifying another thread that is blocked waiting for the notification to occur. If more than one thread is waiting for the notification, it is unspecified which thread is notified. If no threads are waiting, then the release has no effect.

primitive-release-all-notification Primitive
Signature:

(notification :: <portable-container>, lock :: <portable-container>) => (error-code :: <integer>)

Parameters:
Values:

  • error-code – 0 = ok, 2 = not locked

Discussion:

If the calling thread does not own the specified lock, the function returns the error value 2. Otherwise, the function releases the specified notification, notifying all other threads that are blocked waiting for the notification to occur. If no threads are waiting, then the release has no effect.

Timers

primitive-sleep Primitive
Signature:

(millisecs :: <integer>) => ()

Parameters:

  • millisecs – Time interval in milliseconds

Discussion:

This function causes the calling thread to block for the specified time interval.

Thread Variables

primitive-allocate-thread-variable Primitive
Signature:

(initial-value) => (handle-on-variable)

Parameters:

  • initial-value – A Dylan object that is to be the initial value of the fluid variable.

Values:

  • handle-on-variable – An OS handle on the fluid variable, to be stored as the immediate value of the variable. Variable reading and assignment will indirect through this handle. The handle is not a Dylan object.

Discussion:

This function creates a new thread-local variable handle, and assigns the specified initial value to the location indicated by the handle. The function must arrange to assign the initial value to the thread-local location associated with all other existing threads, too. The function must also arrange that whenever a new thread is subsequently created, it also has its thread-local location indicated by the handle set to the initial value.

Simple Runtime Primitives

D primitive_allocate(int size)

This is the interface to the memory allocator which might be dependent on the garbage collector. It takes a size in bytes as a parameter, and returns some freshly allocated memory which the run-time system knows how to memory-manage.

D primitive_byte_allocate(int word_size, int byte_size)

This is built on the same mechanism as primitive_allocate(), but it is specifically designed for allocating objects which have Dylan slots, but also have a repeated slot of byte-sized elements, such as a byte string, or a byte vector. It takes two parameters, a size in ‘words’ for the object slots (e.g., one for ‘class’ and a second for ‘size’), followed by the number of bytes for the vector. The value returned from the primitive is the freshly allocated memory making up the string.

D primitive_fill_E_(D storage[], int size, D value)

(The odd name is a result of name mangling from primitive-fill!). This takes a Dylan object (or a pointer to the middle of one), a size, and a value. It inserts the value into as many slots as are specified by size.

D primitive_replace_E_(D dst[], D src[], int size)

(See primitive_fill_E_() re. name). This copies from the source vector into the destination vector as many values as are specified in the size parameter.

D primitive_replace_vector_E_(SOV *dest, SOV *source)

This is related to primitive_replace_E_(), except that the two arguments are guaranteed to be simple object vectors, and they are self-sizing. It takes two parameters, ‘dest’, and ‘source’, and the data from ‘source’ is copied into ‘dest’. ‘Dest’ is returned.

D primitive_allocate_vector(int size)

This is related to primitive_allocate(), except that it takes a ‘size’ argument, which is the size of repeated slots in a simple object vector (SOV). An object which is big enough to hold the specified indices is allocated, and appropriately initialized, so that the ‘class’ field shows that it is an SOV, and the ‘size’ field shows how big it is.

D primitive_copy_vector(D vector)

This takes a SOV as a parameter, and allocates a fresh SOV of the same size. It copies all the data that was supplied from the old one to the new one, and returns the new one.

D primitive_initialize_vector_from_buffer(SOV *vector, int size, D *buffer)

This primitive takes a pre-existing vector, and copies data into it from a buffer so as to initialize an SOV. The primitive takes a SOV to be updated, a ‘size’ parameter (the specified size of the SOV), and a pointer to a buffer which will supply the necessary data. The class and size values for the new SOV are set, and the data written to the rest of the SOV. The SOV is returned.

D primitive_make_string(char *string)

This takes as a parameter a ‘C’ string with is zero-terminated, and returns a Dylan string with the same data inside it.

D primitive_continue_unwind()

This is used as the last thing to be done at the end of an unwind-protect cleanup. It is responsible for determining why the cleanup is being called, and thus taking appropriate action afterwards.

It handles 2 basic cases:

  • a non-local exit

  • a normal unwind-protect

In the first case we wish to transfer control back to some other location, but there is a cleanup that needs to be done first. In this case there will be an unwind-protect frame on the stack which contains a marker to identify the target of the non-local exit. Control can thus be transferred, possibly invoking another unwind-protect on the way.

Alternatively, no transfer of control may be required, and unwind-protect can proceed normally. As a result of evaluating our protected forms, the multiple values of these forms are stored in the unwind-protect frame. These values are put back in the multiple values area, and control is returned.

D primitive_nlx(Bind_exit_frame *target, SOV *arguments)

This takes two parameters: a bind-exit frame which is put on the stack whenever a bind-exit frame is bound, and an SOV of the multiple values that we wish to return to that bind-exit point. We then step to the bind-exit frame target, while checking to see if there are any intervening unwind-protect frames. If there are, we put the marker for our ultimate destination into the unwind-protect frame that has been detected on the stack between us and our destination. The multiple values we wish to return are put into the unwind-protect frame. The relevant cleanup code is invoked, and at the end of this a primitive_continue_unwind() should be called. This should detect that there is further to go, and insert the multiple values into any intervening frames.

D primitive_inlined_nlx(Bind_exit_frame *target, D first_argument)

This is similar to primitive_nlx(), except that it is used when the compiler has been able to gain more information about the circumstances in which the non-local-exit call is happening. In particular it is used when it is possible to in-line the call, so that the multiple values that are being passed are known to be in the multiple values area, rather than having been created as an SOV. An SOV has to be built up from these arguments.

D *primitive_make_box(D object)

A box is a value-cell that is used for closed-over variables which are subject to assignment. The function takes a Dylan object, and returns a value-cell box which contains the object. The compiler deals with the extra level of indirection needed to get the value out of the box.

D *primitive_make_environment(int size, ...)

This is the function which makes the vector which is used in a closure. The arguments to this are either boxes, or normal Dylan objects. This takes an argument of ‘size’ for the initial arguments to be closed over, plus the arguments themselves. size arguments are built up into an SOV which is used as an environment.

Entry Point Functions

D xep_0(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_1(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_2(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_3(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_4(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_5(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_6(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_7(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_8(FN *function, int argument_count)
D xep_9(FN *function, int argument_count)

These are the XEP entry-point handlers for those Dylan functions which do not accept optional parameters. Each Dylan function has an external (safe) entry point with full checking. After checking, this calls the internal entry point, which is the most efficient available.

The compiler itself only ever generates code for the internal entry point. Any value put into the external entry point field of an object is a shared value provided by the runtime system. If the function takes no parameters, the value will be xep0; if it takes a single required parameter it will be xep1, and so on. There are values available for xep0 to xep9. For more than nine required parameters, the xep() function is used.

D xep(FN *function, int argument_count, ...)

If the function takes more than nine required parameters, then the function will simply be called xep, the general function which will work in all such cases. The arguments are passed as ‘varargs’. This function will check the number of arguments, raising an error if it is wrong. It then sets the calling convention for calling the internal entry point. This basically means that the function register is appropriately set, and the implementation ‘mlist’ parameter is set to #f.

D optional_xep(FN *function, int argument_count, ...)

This function is used as the XEP code for any Dylan function which has optional parameters. In this case, the external entry point conventions do not require the caller to have any knowledge of where the optionals start. The XEP code is thus responsible for separating the code into those which are required parameters, to be passed via the normal machine conventions, and those which are optionals. to be passed as a Dylan SOV. If the function object takes keywords, all the information about which keywords are accepted is stored in the function itself. The vector of optional parameters is scanned by the XEP code to see if any appropriate ones have been supplied. If one is found, then the associated value is taken and used as an implicit parameter to the internal entry point. If a value is not supplied, then a suitable default parameter which is stored inside the function object is passed instead.

D gf_xep_0(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_1(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_2(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_3(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_4(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_5(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_6(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_7(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_8(FN *function, int argument_count)
D gf_xep_9(FN *function, int argument_count)

These primitives are similar to xep_0() through xep_9(), but deal with the entry points for generic functions. Generic functions do not require the ‘mlist’ parameter to be set, so a special optimized entry point is provided. These versions are for 0 - 9 required parameters. These functions call the internal entry point.

D gf_xep(FN *function, int argument_count, ...)

This primitive is similar to xep(), but deals with the entry points for generic functions. Generic functions do not require the ‘mlist’ parameter to be set, so a special optimized entry point is provided. This is the general version for functions which do not take optional arguments. This function calls the internal entry point.

D gf_optional_xep(FN *function, int argument_count, ...)

This is used for all generic functions which take optional arguments. This function calls the internal entry point.

D primitive_basic_iep_apply(FN *f, int argument_count, D a[])

This is used to call internal entry points. It takes three parameters: a Dylan function object (where the iep is stored in a slot), an argument count of the number of arguments that we are passing to the iep, and a vector of all of these arguments. This is a ‘basic’ IEP apply because is does no more than check the argument count, and call the IEP with the appropriate number of Dylan parameters. It does not bother to set any implementation parameters. Implementation parameters which could be set in by other primitives are ‘function’, and a ‘mlist’ (the list of next-methods) . Not all IEPs care about the ‘function’ or ‘mlist’ parameters, but when the compiler calls primitive_basic_iep_apply(), it has to make sure that any necessary ‘function’ or ‘mlist’ parameters have been set up.

D primitive_iep_apply(FN *f, int argument_count, D a[])

This is closely related to primitive_basic_iep_apply(). It takes the same number of parameters, but it sets the explicit, implementation-dependent function parameter which is usually set to the first argument, and also sets the ‘mlist’ argument to ‘false’. This is the normal case when a method object is being called directly, rather than as part of a generic function.

D primitive_xep_apply(FN *f, int argument_count, D a[])

This is a more usual usage of apply, i.e., the standard Dylan calling convention being invoked by apply. It takes three parameters: the Dylan function to be called, the number of arguments being passed, and a vector containing all those arguments. This primitive relates to the external entry point for the function, and guarantees full type checking and argument count checking. This primitive does all that is necessary to conform with the xep calling convention of Dylan: i.e., it sets the ‘function’ parameter, it sets the argument count, and then calls the XEP for the function.

Compiler Primitives

General Primitives

primitive-make-box Primitive
Signature:

(object :: <object>) => <object>

primitive-allocate Primitive
Signature:

(size :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>)

primitive-byte-allocate Primitive
Signature:

(word-size :: <raw-small-integer>, byte-size :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>)

primitive-make-environment Primitive
Signature:

(size :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

primitive-copy-vector Primitive
Signature:

(vector :: <object>) => <object>

primitive-make-string Primitive
Signature:

(vector :: <raw-c-char*>) => <raw-c-char*>

primitive-function-code Primitive
Signature:

(function :: <object>) => <object>

primitive-function-environment Primitive
Signature:

(function :: <object>) => <object>

Low-Level Apply Primitives

primitive-xep-apply Primitive
Signature:

(function :: <object>, buffer-size :: <raw-small-integer>, buffer :: <object>) => :: <object>

primitive-iep-apply Primitive
Signature:

(function :: <object>, buffer-size :: <raw-small-integer>, buffer :: <object>) => <object>)

primitive-true? Primitive
Signature:

(value :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

Discussion:

This primitive returns Dylan true if value is non-zero, and false if value is zero.

primitive-false? Primitive
Signature:

(value :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

Discussion:

This is the complement of primitive-true?, returning #t if the value is 0, #f otherwise.

primitive-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <object>, y :: <object>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-continue-unwind Primitive
Signature:

() => <object>

primitive-nlx Primitive
Signature:

(bind-exit-frame :: <raw-c-void*>, args :: <raw-c-void*>) => <raw-c-void>

primitive-inlined-nlx Primitive
Signature:

(bind-exit-frame :: <raw-c-void*>, first-argument :: <raw-c-void*>) => <raw-c-void>

primitive-variable-lookup Primitive
Signature:

(variable-pointer :: <raw-c-void*>) => <raw-c-void*>

primitive-variable-lookup-setter Primitive
Signature:

(value :: <raw-c-void*>, variable-pointer :: <raw-c-void*>) => <raw-c-void*>

Integer Primitives

primitive-int? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <object>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-address-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-add Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-subtract Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-multiply Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-left-shift Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-right-shift Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-not Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-and Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-address-or Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-address>, y :: <raw-address>) => <raw-address>

primitive-small-integer-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-not-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-less-than? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-greater-than? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-greater-than-or-equal? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-negate Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-add Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-subtract Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-multiply Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-divide Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-modulo Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-left-shift Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-right-shift Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-not Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-and Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-or Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-xor Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>, y :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-small-integer>

In addition to the small-integer operators above, there are also definitions for three other integer types, defined in the same manner. The following table summarizes the relationship between these types and Dylan primitives.

Integer Types and Dylan Primitives

General Variety of Integer

Class of Primitive Parameters and Return Values

Value of type in Primitive Name primitive-type-operator

Small Integer

<raw-small-integer>

small-integer

Big Integer

<raw-big-integer>

big-integer

Machine Integer

<raw-machine-integer>

machine-integer

Unsigned Machine Integer

<raw-unsigned-machine- integer>

unsigned-machine-integer

Float Primitives

primitive-decoded-bits-as-single-float Primitive
Signature:

(sign :: <raw-small-integer>, exponent :: <raw-small-integer>, significand :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-single-float>)

primitive-bits-as-single-float Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-single-float>

Discussion:

Uses a custom emitter to map to a call to a function called integer_to_single_float in the runtime system.

primitive-single-float-as-bits Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-small-integer>

Discussion:

Uses a custom emitter to map to a call to a function called single_float_to_integer in the runtime system.

primitive-single-float-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-not-equals? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-less-than? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-less-than-or-equal? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-greater-than? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-greater-than-or-equal? Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-c-int>

primitive-single-float-negate Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-add Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-subtract Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-multiply Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-divide Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>, y :: <raw-single-float>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-unary-divide Primitive
Signature:

(x :: <raw-single-float>>) => <raw-single-float>

Accessor Primitives

primitive-element Primitive
Signature:

(array :: <object>, index :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

Discussion:

This is used for de-referencing slots in the middle of Dylan objects, and thus potentially invokes read-barrier code. It takes two parameters: a Dylan object, and an index which is the ‘word’ index into the object. It returns the Dylan value found in that corresponding slot.

primitive-element-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <object>, array :: <object>, index :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

Discussion:

This is the assignment operator corresponding to primitive-element, which is used to change the value of a Dylan slot. This takes an extra initial parameter which is the new value to put into the object. The new value is stored in the appropriate object at the given index.

primitive-byte-element Primitive
Signature:

(array <object>, base-index :: <raw-small-integer>, byte-offset :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-c-char>

Discussion:

This is similar to primitive-element, but deals with byte vectors. It takes a new value and a Dylan object, along with a base offset and a byte offset. The base offset, expressed in words, and the byte offset, expressed in bytes, are added, and the byte found at that location is returned.

primitive-byte-element-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-c-char>) array :: <object>, base-index :: <raw-small-integer>, byte-offset :: <raw-small-integer>) => <raw-c-char>

Discussion:

This is the corresponding setter for primitive-byte-element.

primitive-fill! Primitive
Signature:

(array :: <object>, size :: <raw-small-integer>, value :: <object>) => <object>

primitive-replace! Primitive
Signature:

(new-array :: <object>, array :: <object>, size :: <raw-small-integer>) => <object>

primitive-replace-bytes! Primitive
Signature:

(dst :: <raw-c-void*>, src :: <raw-c-void*>, size :: <raw-c-int>) => <raw-c-void>

The following primitives, named primitive- type -at and primitive- type -at-setter load or store, respectively, a value of the designated type at the specified address.

primitive-untyped-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-untyped>

primitive-untyped-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-untyped>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-untyped>

primitive-pointer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-pointer>

primitive-pointer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-pointer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-pointer>

primitive-byte-character-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-byte-character>

primitive-byte-character-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-byte-character>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-byte-character>

primitive-small-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-small-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-small-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-small-integer>

primitive-big-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-big-integer>

primitive-big-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-big-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-big-integer>

primitive-machine-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-machine-integer>

primitive-machine-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-machine-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-machine-integer>

primitive-unsigned-machine-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-machine-integer>

primitive-unsigned-machine-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-unsigned-machine-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-machine-integer>

primitive-single-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-single-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-single-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-single-float>

primitive-double-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-double-float>

primitive-double-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-double-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-double-float>

primitive-extended-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-extended-float>

primitive-extended-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-extended-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-extended-float>

primitive-signed-8-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-8-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-8-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-signed-8-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-8-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-8-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-8-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-8-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-unsigned-8-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-8-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-16-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-16-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-16-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-signed-16-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-16-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-16-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-16-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-16-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-unsigned-16-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-16-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-32-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-32-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-32-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-signed-32-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-32-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-32-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-32-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-32-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-unsigned-32-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-32-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-64-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-64-bit-integer>

primitive-signed-64-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-signed-64-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-signed-64-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-64-bit-integer-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-64-bit-integer>

primitive-unsigned-64-bit-integer-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-unsigned-64-bit-integer>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-unsigned-64-bit-integer>

primitive-ieee-single-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-single-float>

primitive-ieee-single-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-ieee-single-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-single-float>

primitive-ieee-double-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-double-float>

primitive-ieee-double-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-ieee-double-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-double-float>

primitive-ieee-extended-float-at Primitive
Signature:

(address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-extended-float>

primitive-ieee-extended-float-at-setter Primitive
Signature:

(new-value :: <raw-ieee-extended-float>, address :: <raw-pointer>) => <raw-ieee-extended-float>