Restrict
restrict is a C type qualifier that permits assumptions about exclusive, pointer-based access to an object during a computation.
Modern C, Third Edition
restrict is a C type qualifier that lets an implementation assume an object is accessed through a designated pointer-based access path during a relevant execution.
- How it is used
- Uses restrict to express pointer non-aliasing assumptions that can support performance optimization while preserving caller-visible access constraints.
- How deep it goes
- Explains exclusive access, caller responsibility, aliasing, and memcpy versus memmove, but stops short of formal execution-context rules.
- Examples
- Uses memcpy and memmove declarations plus fputs, printf, and fprintf cases to expose overlapping-access violations.
- What you can do after
- Apply restrict to function parameters when callers can guarantee exclusive access and use the promise to support optimization.
Modern C
restrict is a C type qualifier for pointer types that declares an intended exclusive access relationship for an object during a computation.
- How it is used
- Deploys restrict in pointer-based function interfaces to describe aliasing assumptions and support performance reasoning.
- How deep it goes
- Defines exclusive access, caller obligations, aliasing consequences, and library contrasts, but leaves full language mechanics deferred.
- Examples
- Uses memcpy versus memmove, formatted-output declarations, and calls that alias format strings or stream objects.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via C library and user-defined function interfaces while checking that pointer accesses remain exclusive.
Related concepts
- memcpyused by · memcpy is a C standard-library function that copies a specified number of bytes from one nonoverlapping memory region to another.
- aliasaddresses · An alias is an alternative name by which an entity, command, parameter, or resource can be referred to.
- performance optimizationaddresses · Performance optimization is the systematic modification of software or its operating conditions to improve measured execution speed, responsiveness, throughput, or resource efficiency while preserving required behavior.
- referenceconfigures · A reference is an indirect value or relationship that identifies or provides access to another value, object, resource, or source.
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