AdaCore - The GNAT Pro Company

[GNAT] New warning for biased representation

AdaCore — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

If a component size clause, size clause, or component clause forces the use of biased representation for an integer type (e.g. storing range 10..11 in one bit using 0/1 to represent 10/11, then a warning is given. This warning is on by default and is included in -gnatwa. It can be turned off by using -gnatw.B. Note that, as documented, biased representation is not allowed for enumeration types for which an enumeration representation clause is given.

[GNAT] Warning on potentially blocking call to Abort_Task

AdaCore — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

GNAT warns on potentially blocking statements within protected operations as listed in 9.5.1. In addition, the compiler now warns on a call to Abort_Task, which is also a potentially blocking operation (C.7.1)

[GNAT] Eliminate range warnings in generic instances

AdaCore — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Warnings about range tests whose outcome is known at compile time, or that correspond to ‘Valid tests, are now suppressed in generic instances. This avoids confusing false positives in cases where the test in the generic template is reasonable in the general case, even if in some particular instance, it may be optimized away.

[GNAT] Improved support for handling file attributes

AdaCore — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

First a new routine has been added in GNAT.OS_Lib to check the executable file attribute (Is_Executable_File). And on Windows the file attributes are now set/read using the ACL. So, on Windows GNAT, is now able to deal with extended attributes (executable, readable) set using the file properties dialog for example.

[GNAT] Improved warnings for oversize types

AdaCore — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Warnings are issued in more cases where the use of a default discriminant for a type that has a large range is likely to raise Storage_Error if an object of the type is declared using the default.

Coverage and Free Software

AdaCore — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:00:16 +0000

A recent paper by Franco Gasperoni describing how a Free Software toolset (Coverage) and virtualization technology (QEMU) can be used effectively to assure code coverage in the development of software applications. While an important target use of the coverage toolset is safety-critical embedded applications, the design of the tools allows its use in non safety-critical projects.

Coverage Project

AdaCore — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:00:04 +0000

Thanks to French public funds, the next generation of Free Software code coverage tools is on its way. “Project Coverage” will produce a Free Software coverage analysis toolset together with the ability to generate artifacts that allow the tools to be used for safety-critical software projects undergoing a DO-178B software audit process for all levels of criticality.

While an important target use of the coverage toolset is safety-critical embedded applications, the design of the tools allows its use in non safety-critical projects.

Beyond the production of useful tools and certification material for industrial users, an important goal is to raise awareness and interest about safety-critical and certification issues in the Free Software/Open Source community.

The key insight of “Project Coverage” is as follows: code coverage can greatly benefit from recent advances in hardware virtualization technology as promoted, for instance, by QEMU.

The attached slides give a presentation of the technical scope of the project.

[GPRBUILD] New attribute Builder’Global_Compilation_Switches

AdaCore — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

A new attribute Global_Compilation_Switches ("") is created in package Builder. This attribute is taken into account in the main project when attribute Default_Switches ("") is not take into account. The switches specified in Global_Compilation_Switches ("") are used when compiling a aource of language "" anywhere in the project tree.

[GNAT] Thread support implemented in alpha-tru64 debugger

AdaCore — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

The Tru64 debugger is now able to print the list of threads currently running inside your program and to switch from thread to thread.

[GNAT] Improved warnings for bad external/link names

AdaCore — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:00:00 +0000

The warnings for bad characters in external and link names in interfacing pragmas have been improved. They are now unconditional (rather than being controlled by the -gnatwx flag), the includ the slash characters, and the warning flag is placed exactly under the dubious character.