naked (C++)
The latest version of this topic can be found at naked (C++).
Microsoft Specific**
For functions declared with the naked attribute, the compiler generates code without prolog and epilog code. You can use this feature to write your own prolog/epilog code sequences using inline assembler code. Naked functions are particularly useful in writing virtual device drivers. Note that the naked attribute is only valid on x86 and ARM, and is not available on x64.
Syntax
__declspec(naked) declarator
Remarks
Because the naked attribute is only relevant to the definition of a function and is not a type modifier, naked functions must use extended attribute syntax and the __declspec keyword.
The compiler cannot generate an inline function for a function marked with the naked attribute, even if the function is also marked with the __forceinline keyword.
The compiler issues an error if the naked attribute is applied to anything other than the definition of a non-member method.
Examples
This code defines a function with the naked attribute:
__declspec( naked ) int func
( formal_parameters ) {}
Or, alternately:
#define Naked __declspec( naked )
Naked int func
( formal_parameters ) {}
The naked attribute affects only the nature of the compiler's code generation for the function's prolog and epilog sequences. It does not affect the code that is generated for calling such functions. Thus, the naked attribute is not considered part of the function's type, and function pointers cannot have the naked attribute. Furthermore, the naked attribute cannot be applied to a data definition. For example, this code sample generates an error:
__declspec( naked ) int i; // Error--naked attribute not
// permitted on data declarations.
The naked attribute is relevant only to the definition of the function and cannot be specified in the function's prototype. For example, this declaration generates a compiler error:
__declspec( naked ) int func
(); // Error--naked attribute not
// permitted on function declarations
END Microsoft Specific