[PATCH v2 1/3] compiler_types: Introduce the Clang __preserve_most function attribute

[Marco Elver]

[1]: "On X86-64 and AArch64 targets, this attribute changes the calling
convention of a function. The preserve_most calling convention attempts
to make the code in the caller as unintrusive as possible. This
convention behaves identically to the C calling convention on how
arguments and return values are passed, but it uses a different set of
caller/callee-saved registers. This alleviates the burden of saving and
recovering a large register set before and after the call in the
caller."

[1] https://clang.llvm.org/docs/AttributeReference.html#preserve-most

Introduce the attribute to compiler_types.h as __preserve_most.

Use of this attribute results in better code generation for calls to
very rarely called functions, such as error-reporting functions, or
rarely executed slow paths.

Beware that the attribute conflicts with instrumentation calls inserted
on function entry which do not use __preserve_most themselves. Notably,
function tracing which assumes the normal C calling convention for the
given architecture.  Where the attribute is supported, __preserve_most
will imply notrace. It is recommended to restrict use of the attribute
to functions that should or already disable tracing.

Signed-off-by: Marco Elver <elver at google.com>
---
v2:
* Imply notrace, to avoid any conflicts with tracing which is inserted
  on function entry. See added comments.
---
 include/linux/compiler_types.h | 27 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+)

diff --git a/include/linux/compiler_types.h b/include/linux/compiler_types.h
index 547ea1ff806e..12c4540335b7 100644
--- a/include/linux/compiler_types.h
+++ b/include/linux/compiler_types.h
@@ -106,6 +106,33 @@ static inline void __chk_io_ptr(const volatile void __iomem *ptr) { }
 #define __cold
 #endif
 
+/*
+ * On x86-64 and arm64 targets, __preserve_most changes the calling convention
+ * of a function to make the code in the caller as unintrusive as possible. This
+ * convention behaves identically to the C calling convention on how arguments
+ * and return values are passed, but uses a different set of caller- and callee-
+ * saved registers.
+ *
+ * The purpose is to alleviates the burden of saving and recovering a large
+ * register set before and after the call in the caller.  This is beneficial for
+ * rarely taken slow paths, such as error-reporting functions that may be called
+ * from hot paths.
+ *
+ * Note: This may conflict with instrumentation inserted on function entry which
+ * does not use __preserve_most or equivalent convention (if in assembly). Since
+ * function tracing assumes the normal C calling convention, where the attribute
+ * is supported, __preserve_most implies notrace.
+ *
+ * Optional: not supported by gcc.
+ *
+ * clang: https://clang.llvm.org/docs/AttributeReference.html#preserve-most
+ */
+#if __has_attribute(__preserve_most__)
+# define __preserve_most notrace __attribute__((__preserve_most__))
+#else
+# define __preserve_most
+#endif
+
 /* Builtins */
 
 /*
-- 
2.41.0.640.ga95def55d0-goog