Linker User Guide

Using attribute((section("name"))) to place code and data

ARM Compiler toolchain v5.02 for µVision Using the Linker

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Using attribute((section("name"))) to place code and data

You can place code and data by separating them into their own objects without having to use toolchain-specific pragmas or attributes. However, you can also use __attribute__((section("name"))) to place an item in a separate ELF section. You can then use a scatter file to place the named sections at specific locations.

To use __attribute__((section("name"))) to place a variable in a separate section:

Use __attribute__((section("name"))) to specify the named section where the variable is to be placed, for example:
Example 17. Naming a section
```
int variable __attribute__((section("foo"))) = 10;
```

Use a scatter file to place the named section, for example:

Example 18. Placing a section

FLASH 0x24000000 0x4000000
{
    ...                                ; rest of code

    ADDER 0x08000000
    {
        file.o (foo)                  ; select section foo from file.o
    }
}

The following example shows the memory map for the FLASH load region:

...
  Load Region FLASH (Base: 0x24000000, Size: 0x00000004, Max: 0x04000000, ABSOLUTE)

    Execution Region ADDER (Base: 0x08000000, Size: 0x00000004, Max: 0xffffffff, ABSOLUTE)

    Base Addr    Size         Type   Attr      Idx    E Section Name        Object

    0x08000000   0x00000004   Data   RW           16    foo                 file.o
...

Be aware of the following:

linking with --autoat or --no_autoat does not affect the placement
if scatter-loading is not used, the section is placed in the default ER_RW execution region of the LR_1 load region
if you have a scatter file that does not include the foo selector, then the section is placed in the defined RW execution region.

You can also place a function at a specific address using .ARM.__at_address as the section name. For example, to place the function sqr at 0x20000, specify:

int sqr(int n1) __attribute__((section(".ARM.__at_0x20000")));

int sqr(int n1)
{
    return n1*n1;
}

Linker User Guide

Using attribute((section("name"))) to place code and data

Using attribute((section("name"))) to place code and data

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