1 \input texinfo.tex @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @comment %**start of header
4 @settitle Texinfo @value{edition}
6 @footnotestyle separate
9 @comment %**end of header
11 @c Set smallbook if printing in smallbook format so the example of the
12 @c smallbook font is actually written using smallbook; in bigbook, a kludge
13 @c is used for TeX output.
21 * Texinfo: (texinfo). The documentation format for the GNU Project.
28 @set update-date 7 June 1995
29 @set update-month June 1995
31 @c Experiment with smaller amounts of whitespace between chapters
34 \global\chapheadingskip = 15pt plus 4pt minus 2pt
35 \global\secheadingskip = 12pt plus 3pt minus 2pt
36 \global\subsecheadingskip = 9pt plus 2pt minus 2pt
39 @c Experiment with smaller amounts of whitespace between paragraphs in
40 @c the 8.5 by 11 inch format.
43 \global\parskip 6pt plus 1pt
49 @c Currently undocumented command, 5 December 1993:
51 @c nwnode (Same as node, but no warnings; for `makeinfo'.)
54 This file documents Texinfo, a documentation system that uses a single
55 source file to produce both on-line information and a printed manual.
57 Copyright (C) 1988--2024 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
59 This is the second edition of the Texinfo documentation,@*
60 and is consistent with version 2 of @file{texinfo.tex}.
62 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
63 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
64 are preserved on all copies.
67 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
68 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
69 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
70 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
73 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
74 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire
75 resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission
76 notice identical to this one.
78 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
79 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
80 except that this permission notice may be stated in a translation approved
81 by the Free Software Foundation.
84 @setchapternewpage odd
86 @shorttitlepage Texinfo
89 @c use the new format for titles
91 @subtitle The GNU Documentation Format
92 @subtitle Edition @value{edition}, for Texinfo Version Three
93 @subtitle @value{update-month}
95 @author by Robert J. Chassell and Richard M. Stallman
97 @comment Include the Distribution inside the titlepage so
98 @c that headings are turned off.
101 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
102 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2010, 2011
103 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
106 This is the second edition of the Texinfo documentation,@*
107 and is consistent with version 2 of @file{texinfo.tex}.
110 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
111 59 Temple Place Suite 330, @*
112 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
113 Printed copies are available for $15 each.@*
115 @c ISBN number 1-882114-63-9 is for edition 2.20 of 28 February 1995
117 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
118 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
119 are preserved on all copies.
121 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
122 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire
123 resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission
124 notice identical to this one.
126 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
127 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
128 except that this permission notice may be stated in a translation approved
129 by the Free Software Foundation.
131 Cover art by Etienne Suvasa.
135 @node Top, Copying, (dir), (dir)
138 Texinfo is a documentation system that uses a single source file to
139 produce both on-line information and printed output.@refill
141 The first part of this master menu lists the major nodes in this Info
142 document, including the @@-command and concept indices. The rest of
143 the menu lists all the lower level nodes in the document.@refill
145 This is Edition @value{edition} of the Texinfo documentation,
146 @w{@value{update-date},} for Texinfo Version Three.
149 @c Here is a spare copy of the chapter menu entry descriptions,
150 @c in case they are accidentally deleted
154 How to use Texinfo mode.
155 What is at the beginning of a Texinfo file?
156 What is at the end of a Texinfo file?
157 How to create chapters, sections, subsections,
158 appendices, and other parts.
159 How to provide structure for a document.
162 How to write cross references.
163 How to mark words and phrases as code,
164 keyboard input, meta-syntactic
165 variables, and the like.
166 How to write quotations, examples, etc.
167 How to write lists and tables.
168 How to create indices.
169 How to insert @@-signs, braces, etc.
170 How to indicate results of evaluation,
171 expansion of macros, errors, etc.
172 How to force and prevent line and page breaks.
173 How to describe functions and the like in a uniform manner.
174 How to write footnotes.
175 How to specify text for either @TeX{} or Info.
176 How to print hardcopy.
177 How to create an Info file.
178 How to install an Info file
179 A list of all the Texinfo @@-commands.
180 Hints on how to write a Texinfo document.
181 A sample Texinfo file to look at.
182 Tell readers they have the right to copy
184 How to incorporate other Texinfo files.
185 How to write page headings and footings.
186 How to find formatting mistakes.
187 All about paragraph refilling.
188 A description of @@-Command syntax.
189 Texinfo second edition features.
190 A menu containing commands and variables.
191 A menu covering many topics.
195 * Copying:: Your rights.
196 * Overview:: Texinfo in brief.
197 * Texinfo Mode:: How to use Texinfo mode.
198 * Beginning a File:: What is at the beginning of a Texinfo file?
199 * Ending a File:: What is at the end of a Texinfo file?
200 * Structuring:: How to create chapters, sections, subsections,
201 appendices, and other parts.
202 * Nodes:: How to write nodes.
203 * Menus:: How to write menus.
204 * Cross References:: How to write cross references.
205 * Marking Text:: How to mark words and phrases as code,
206 keyboard input, meta-syntactic
207 variables, and the like.
208 * Quotations and Examples:: How to write quotations, examples, etc.
209 * Lists and Tables:: How to write lists and tables.
210 * Indices:: How to create indices.
211 * Insertions:: How to insert @@-signs, braces, etc.
212 * Glyphs:: How to indicate results of evaluation,
213 expansion of macros, errors, etc.
214 * Breaks:: How to force and prevent line and page breaks.
215 * Definition Commands:: How to describe functions and the like
217 * Footnotes:: How to write footnotes.
218 * Conditionals:: How to specify text for either @TeX{} or Info.
219 * Format/Print Hardcopy:: How to convert a Texinfo file to a file
220 for printing and how to print that file.
221 * Create an Info File:: Convert a Texinfo file into an Info file.
222 * Install an Info File:: Make an Info file accessible to users.
223 * Command List:: All the Texinfo @@-commands.
224 * Tips:: Hints on how to write a Texinfo document.
225 * Sample Texinfo File:: A sample Texinfo file to look at.
226 * Sample Permissions:: Tell readers they have the right to copy
228 * Include Files:: How to incorporate other Texinfo files.
229 * Headings:: How to write page headings and footings.
230 * Catching Mistakes:: How to find formatting mistakes.
231 * Refilling Paragraphs:: All about paragraph refilling.
232 * Command Syntax:: A description of @@-Command syntax.
233 * Obtaining TeX:: How to Obtain @TeX{}.
234 * New Features:: Texinfo second edition features.
235 * Command and Variable Index:: A menu containing commands and variables.
236 * Concept Index:: A menu covering many topics.
238 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
242 * Using Texinfo:: Create a conventional printed book
244 * Info Files:: What is an Info file?
245 * Printed Books:: Characteristics of a printed book or manual.
246 * Formatting Commands:: @@-commands are used for formatting.
247 * Conventions:: General rules for writing a Texinfo file.
248 * Comments:: How to write comments and mark regions that
249 the formatting commands will ignore.
250 * Minimum:: What a Texinfo file must have.
251 * Six Parts:: Usually, a Texinfo file has six parts.
252 * Short Sample:: A short sample Texinfo file.
257 * Texinfo Mode Overview:: How Texinfo mode can help you.
258 * Emacs Editing:: Texinfo mode adds to GNU Emacs' general
259 purpose editing features.
260 * Inserting:: How to insert frequently used @@-commands.
261 * Showing the Structure:: How to show the structure of a file.
262 * Updating Nodes and Menus:: How to update or create new nodes and menus.
263 * Info Formatting:: How to format for Info.
264 * Printing:: How to format and print part or all of a file.
265 * Texinfo Mode Summary:: Summary of all the Texinfo mode commands.
267 Updating Nodes and Menus
269 * Updating Commands:: Five major updating commands.
270 * Updating Requirements:: How to structure a Texinfo file for
271 using the updating command.
272 * Other Updating Commands:: How to indent descriptions, insert
273 missing nodes lines, and update
276 Beginning a Texinfo File
278 * Four Parts:: Four parts begin a Texinfo file.
279 * Sample Beginning:: Here is a sample beginning for a Texinfo file.
280 * Header:: The very beginning of a Texinfo file.
281 * Info Summary and Permissions:: Summary and copying permissions for Info.
282 * Titlepage & Copyright Page:: Creating the title and copyright pages.
283 * The Top Node:: Creating the `Top' node and master menu.
284 * Software Copying Permissions:: Ensure that you and others continue to
285 have the right to use and share software.
287 The Texinfo File Header
289 * First Line:: The first line of a Texinfo file.
290 * Start of Header:: Formatting a region requires this.
291 * setfilename:: Tell Info the name of the Info file.
292 * settitle:: Create a title for the printed work.
293 * setchapternewpage:: Start chapters on right-hand pages.
294 * paragraphindent:: An option to specify paragraph indentation.
295 * End of Header:: Formatting a region requires this.
297 The Title and Copyright Pages
299 * titlepage:: Create a title for the printed document.
300 * titlefont center sp:: The @code{@@titlefont}, @code{@@center},
301 and @code{@@sp} commands.
302 * title subtitle author:: The @code{@@title}, @code{@@subtitle},
303 and @code{@@author} commands.
304 * Copyright & Permissions:: How to write the copyright notice and
305 include copying permissions.
306 * end titlepage:: Turn on page headings after the title and
308 * headings on off:: An option for turning headings on and off
309 and double or single sided printing.
311 The `Top' Node and Master Menu
313 * Title of Top Node:: Sketch what the file is about.
314 * Master Menu Parts:: A master menu has three or more parts.
316 Ending a Texinfo File
318 * Printing Indices & Menus:: How to print an index in hardcopy and
319 generate index menus in Info.
320 * Contents:: How to create a table of contents.
321 * File End:: How to mark the end of a file.
325 * Tree Structuring:: A manual is like an upside down tree @dots{}
326 * Structuring Command Types:: How to divide a manual into parts.
327 * makeinfo top:: The @code{@@top} command, part of the `Top' node.
329 * unnumbered & appendix::
330 * majorheading & chapheading::
332 * unnumberedsec appendixsec heading::
334 * unnumberedsubsec appendixsubsec subheading::
335 * subsubsection:: Commands for the lowest level sections.
336 * Raise/lower sections:: How to change commands' hierarchical level.
340 * Two Paths:: Different commands to structure
341 Info output and printed output.
342 * Node Menu Illustration:: A diagram, and sample nodes and menus.
343 * node:: How to write a node, in detail.
344 * makeinfo Pointer Creation:: How to create node pointers with @code{makeinfo}.
346 The @code{@@node} Command
348 * Node Names:: How to choose node and pointer names.
349 * Writing a Node:: How to write an @code{@@node} line.
350 * Node Line Tips:: Keep names short.
351 * Node Line Requirements:: Keep names unique, without @@-commands.
352 * First Node:: How to write a `Top' node.
353 * makeinfo top command:: How to use the @code{@@top} command.
354 * Top Node Summary:: Write a brief description for readers.
358 * Menu Location:: Put a menu in a short node.
359 * Writing a Menu:: What is a menu?
360 * Menu Parts:: A menu entry has three parts.
361 * Less Cluttered Menu Entry:: Two part menu entry.
362 * Menu Example:: Two and three part menu entries.
363 * Other Info Files:: How to refer to a different Info file.
367 * References:: What cross references are for.
368 * Cross Reference Commands:: A summary of the different commands.
369 * Cross Reference Parts:: A cross reference has several parts.
370 * xref:: Begin a reference with `See' @dots{}
371 * Top Node Naming:: How to refer to the beginning of another file.
372 * ref:: A reference for the last part of a sentence.
373 * pxref:: How to write a parenthetical cross reference.
374 * inforef:: How to refer to an Info-only file.
378 * Reference Syntax:: What a reference looks like and requires.
379 * One Argument:: @code{@@xref} with one argument.
380 * Two Arguments:: @code{@@xref} with two arguments.
381 * Three Arguments:: @code{@@xref} with three arguments.
382 * Four and Five Arguments:: @code{@@xref} with four and five arguments.
384 Marking Words and Phrases
386 * Indicating:: How to indicate definitions, files, etc.
387 * Emphasis:: How to emphasize text.
389 Indicating Definitions, Commands, etc.
391 * Useful Highlighting:: Highlighting provides useful information.
392 * code:: How to indicate code.
393 * kbd:: How to show keyboard input.
394 * key:: How to specify keys.
395 * samp:: How to show a literal sequence of characters.
396 * var:: How to indicate a metasyntactic variable.
397 * file:: How to indicate the name of a file.
398 * dfn:: How to specify a definition.
399 * cite:: How to refer to a book that is not in Info.
403 * emph & strong:: How to emphasize text in Texinfo.
404 * Smallcaps:: How to use the small caps font.
405 * Fonts:: Various font commands for printed output.
406 * Customized Highlighting:: How to define highlighting commands.
408 Quotations and Examples
410 * Block Enclosing Commands:: Use different constructs for
412 * quotation:: How to write a quotation.
413 * example:: How to write an example in a fixed-width font.
414 * noindent:: How to prevent paragraph indentation.
415 * Lisp Example:: How to illustrate Lisp code.
416 * smallexample & smalllisp:: Forms for the @code{@@smallbook} option.
417 * display:: How to write an example in the current font.
418 * format:: How to write an example that does not narrow
420 * exdent:: How to undo the indentation of a line.
421 * flushleft & flushright:: How to push text flushleft or flushright.
422 * cartouche:: How to draw cartouches around examples.
424 Making Lists and Tables
426 * Introducing Lists:: Texinfo formats lists for you.
427 * itemize:: How to construct a simple list.
428 * enumerate:: How to construct a numbered list.
429 * Two-column Tables:: How to construct a two-column table.
431 Making a Two-column Table
433 * table:: How to construct a two-column table.
434 * ftable vtable:: How to construct a two-column table
435 with automatic indexing.
436 * itemx:: How to put more entries in the first column.
440 * Index Entries:: Choose different words for index entries.
441 * Predefined Indices:: Use different indices for different kinds
443 * Indexing Commands:: How to make an index entry.
444 * Combining Indices:: How to combine indices.
445 * New Indices:: How to define your own indices.
449 * syncodeindex:: How to merge two indices, using @code{@@code}
450 font for the merged-from index.
451 * synindex:: How to merge two indices, using the
452 default font of the merged-to index.
456 * Braces Atsigns Periods:: How to insert braces, @samp{@@} and periods.
457 * dmn:: How to format a dimension.
458 * Dots Bullets:: How to insert dots and bullets.
459 * TeX and copyright:: How to insert the @TeX{} logo
460 and the copyright symbol.
461 * minus:: How to insert a minus sign.
462 * math:: How to format a mathematical expression.
464 Inserting @samp{@@}, Braces, and Periods
466 * Inserting An Atsign::
467 * Inserting Braces:: How to insert @samp{@{} and @samp{@}}
468 * Controlling Spacing:: How to insert the right amount of space
469 after punctuation within a sentence.
471 Inserting Ellipsis, Dots, and Bullets
473 * dots:: How to insert dots @dots{}
474 * bullet:: How to insert a bullet.
476 Inserting @TeX{} and the Copyright Symbol
478 * tex:: How to insert the @TeX{} logo.
479 * copyright symbol:: How to use @code{@@copyright}@{@}.
484 * result:: How to show the result of expression.
485 * expansion:: How to indicate an expansion.
486 * Print Glyph:: How to indicate printed output.
487 * Error Glyph:: How to indicate an error message.
488 * Equivalence:: How to indicate equivalence.
489 * Point Glyph:: How to indicate the location of point.
491 Making and Preventing Breaks
493 * Break Commands:: Cause and prevent splits.
494 * Line Breaks:: How to force a single line to use two lines.
495 * w:: How to prevent unwanted line breaks.
496 * sp:: How to insert blank lines.
497 * page:: How to force the start of a new page.
498 * group:: How to prevent unwanted page breaks.
499 * need:: Another way to prevent unwanted page breaks.
503 * Def Cmd Template:: How to structure a description using a
505 * Optional Arguments:: How to handle optional and repeated arguments.
506 * deffnx:: How to group two or more `first' lines.
507 * Def Cmds in Detail:: All the definition commands.
508 * Def Cmd Conventions:: Conventions for writing definitions.
509 * Sample Function Definition::
511 The Definition Commands
513 * Functions Commands:: Commands for functions and similar entities.
514 * Variables Commands:: Commands for variables and similar entities.
515 * Typed Functions:: Commands for functions in typed languages.
516 * Typed Variables:: Commands for variables in typed languages.
517 * Abstract Objects:: Commands for object-oriented programming.
518 * Data Types:: The definition command for data types.
522 * Footnote Commands:: How to write a footnote in Texinfo.
523 * Footnote Styles:: Controlling how footnotes appear in Info.
525 Conditionally Visible Text
527 * Conditional Commands:: How to specify text for Info or @TeX{}.
528 * Using Ordinary TeX Commands:: You can use any and all @TeX{} commands.
529 * set clear value:: How to designate which text to format (for
530 both Info and @TeX{}); and how to set a
531 flag to a string that you can insert.
533 @code{@@set}, @code{@@clear}, and @code{@@value}
535 * ifset ifclear:: Format a region if a flag is set.
536 * value:: Replace a flag with a string.
537 * value Example:: An easy way to update edition information.
539 Format and Print Hardcopy
541 * Use TeX:: Use @TeX{} to format for hardcopy.
542 * Format with tex/texindex:: How to format in a shell.
543 * Format with texi2dvi:: A simpler way to use the shell.
544 * Print with lpr:: How to print.
545 * Within Emacs:: How to format and print from an Emacs shell.
546 * Texinfo Mode Printing:: How to format and print in Texinfo mode.
547 * Compile-Command:: How to print using Emacs's compile command.
548 * Requirements Summary:: @TeX{} formatting requirements summary.
549 * Preparing for TeX:: What you need to do to use @TeX{}.
550 * Overfull hboxes:: What are and what to do with overfull hboxes.
551 * smallbook:: How to print small format books and manuals.
552 * A4 Paper:: How to print on European A4 paper.
553 * Cropmarks and Magnification:: How to print marks to indicate the size
554 of pages and how to print scaled up output.
556 Creating an Info File
558 * makeinfo advantages:: @code{makeinfo} provides better error checking.
559 * Invoking makeinfo:: How to run @code{makeinfo} from a shell.
560 * makeinfo options:: Specify fill-column and other options.
561 * Pointer Validation:: How to check that pointers point somewhere.
562 * makeinfo in Emacs:: How to run @code{makeinfo} from Emacs.
563 * texinfo-format commands:: Two Info formatting commands written
564 in Emacs Lisp are an alternative
566 * Batch Formatting:: How to format for Info in Emacs Batch mode.
567 * Tag and Split Files:: How tagged and split files help Info
570 Installing an Info File
572 * Directory file:: The top level menu for all Info files.
573 * New Info File:: Listing a new info file.
574 * Other Info Directories:: How to specify Info files that are
575 located in other directories.
579 * Inserting Permissions:: How to put permissions in your document.
580 * ifinfo Permissions:: Sample @samp{ifinfo} copying permissions.
581 * Titlepage Permissions:: Sample Titlepage copying permissions.
585 * Using Include Files:: How to use the @code{@@include} command.
586 * texinfo-multiple-files-update:: How to create and update nodes and
587 menus when using included files.
588 * Include File Requirements:: What @code{texinfo-multiple-files-update} expects.
589 * Sample Include File:: A sample outer file with included files
590 within it; and a sample included file.
591 * Include Files Evolution:: How use of the @code{@@include} command
592 has changed over time.
596 * Headings Introduced:: Conventions for using page headings.
597 * Heading Format:: Standard page heading formats.
598 * Heading Choice:: How to specify the type of page heading.
599 * Custom Headings:: How to create your own headings and footings.
603 * makeinfo preferred:: @code{makeinfo} finds errors.
604 * Debugging with Info:: How to catch errors with Info formatting.
605 * Debugging with TeX:: How to catch errors with @TeX{} formatting.
606 * Using texinfo-show-structure:: How to use @code{texinfo-show-structure}.
607 * Using occur:: How to list all lines containing a pattern.
608 * Running Info-Validate:: How to find badly referenced nodes.
610 Finding Badly Referenced Nodes
612 * Using Info-validate:: How to run @code{Info-validate}.
613 * Unsplit:: How to create an unsplit file.
614 * Tagifying:: How to tagify a file.
615 * Splitting:: How to split a file manually.
617 Second Edition Features
619 * New Texinfo Mode Commands:: The updating commands are especially useful.
620 * New Commands:: Many newly described @@-commands.
623 @node Copying, Overview, Top, Top
624 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
625 @unnumbered Texinfo Copying Conditions
626 @cindex Copying conditions
627 @cindex Conditions for copying Texinfo
629 The programs currently being distributed that relate to Texinfo include
630 portions of GNU Emacs, plus other separate programs (including
631 @code{makeinfo}, @code{info}, @code{texindex}, and @file{texinfo.tex}).
632 These programs are @dfn{free}; this means that everyone is free to use
633 them and free to redistribute them on a free basis. The Texinfo-related
634 programs are not in the public domain; they are copyrighted and there
635 are restrictions on their distribution, but these restrictions are
636 designed to permit everything that a good cooperating citizen would want
637 to do. What is not allowed is to try to prevent others from further
638 sharing any version of these programs that they might get from
641 Specifically, we want to make sure that you have the right to give
642 away copies of the programs that relate to Texinfo, that you receive
643 source code or else can get it if you want it, that you can change these
644 programs or use pieces of them in new free programs, and that you know
645 you can do these things.@refill
647 To make sure that everyone has such rights, we have to forbid you to
648 deprive anyone else of these rights. For example, if you distribute
649 copies of the Texinfo related programs, you must give the recipients all
650 the rights that you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or
651 can get the source code. And you must tell them their rights.@refill
653 Also, for our own protection, we must make certain that everyone finds
654 out that there is no warranty for the programs that relate to Texinfo.
655 If these programs are modified by someone else and passed on, we want
656 their recipients to know that what they have is not what we distributed,
657 so that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on our
660 The precise conditions of the licenses for the programs currently
661 being distributed that relate to Texinfo are found in the General Public
662 Licenses that accompany them.@refill
664 @node Overview, Texinfo Mode, Copying, Top
665 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
666 @chapter Overview of Texinfo
667 @cindex Overview of Texinfo
668 @cindex Texinfo overview
670 @dfn{Texinfo}@footnote{Note that the first syllable of ``Texinfo'' is
671 pronounced like ``speck'', not ``hex''. This odd pronunciation is
672 derived from, but is not the same as, the pronunciation of @TeX{}. In
673 the word @TeX{}, the @samp{X} is actually the Greek letter ``chi''
674 rather than the English letter ``ex''. Pronounce @TeX{} as if the
675 @samp{X} were the last sound in the name `Bach'; but pronounce Texinfo
676 as if the @samp{x} were a `k'. Spell ``Texinfo'' with a capital ``T''
677 and write the other letters in lower case.}
678 is a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
679 on-line information and printed output. This means that instead of
680 writing two different documents, one for the on-line help or other on-line
681 information and the other for a typeset manual or other printed work, you
682 need write only one document. When the work is revised, you need revise
683 only one document. (You can read the on-line information, known as an
684 @dfn{Info file}, with an Info documentation-reading program.)@refill
687 * Using Texinfo:: Create a conventional printed book
689 * Info Files:: What is an Info file?
690 * Printed Books:: Characteristics of a printed book or manual.
691 * Formatting Commands:: @@-commands are used for formatting.
692 * Conventions:: General rules for writing a Texinfo file.
693 * Comments:: How to write comments and mark regions that
694 the formatting commands will ignore.
695 * Minimum:: What a Texinfo file must have.
696 * Six Parts:: Usually, a Texinfo file has six parts.
697 * Short Sample:: A short sample Texinfo file.
701 @c ************************************************************************
705 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
706 @c %**start of header
707 @setfilename psim.info
709 @setchapternewpage odd
715 This file documents the program PSIM.
717 Copyright (C) 1994-1996, Andrew Cagney.
719 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
720 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
721 are preserved on all copies.
724 Permission is granted to process this file through Tex and print the
725 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
726 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
727 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
730 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
731 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, subject to the terms
732 of the GNU General Public License, which includes the provision that the
733 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
734 permission notice identical to this one.
736 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
737 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
743 @subtitle Model of the PowerPC Environments
744 @author Andrew Cagney
747 @vskip Opt plus ifill
748 Copyright @copyright{} 1994-1996, Andrew Cagney
750 This is the first edition of the PSIM manual and is consistent with PSIM
753 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
754 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
755 are preserved on all copies.
757 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
758 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, subject to the terms
759 of the GNU General Public License, which includes the provision that the
760 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
761 permission notice identical to this one.
763 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
764 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
771 * Copying:: Your rights and freedoms.
772 * First Chappeter:: Getting started ....
773 * Second Chapter:: Getting finished ....
779 PSIM is a program written in extended ANSI-C that implements an
780 instruction level simulation of the PowerPC environment. It is freely
781 available in source code form under the terms of the GNU General
782 Public License (version 3 or later).
784 The PowerPC Architecture is described as having three levels of
787 UEA - User Environment Architecture
788 VEA - Virtual Environment Architecture
789 OEA - Operating Environment Architecture
791 PSIM both implements all three levels of the PowerPC and includes (for
792 each level) a corresponding simulated run-time environment.
794 In addition, PSIM, to the execution unit level, models the performance
795 of most of the current PowerPC implementations (contributed by Michael
796 Meissner). This detailed performance monitoring (unlike many other
797 simulators) resulting in only a relatively marginal reduction in the
798 simulators performance.
801 A description of how to build PSIM is contained in the file:
803 ftp://ftp.ci.com.au/pub/psim/INSTALL
804 or ftp://cambridge.cygnus.com/pub/psim/INSTALL
806 while an overview of how to use PSIM is in:
808 ftp://ftp.ci.com.au/pub/psim/RUN
809 or ftp://cambridge.cygnus.com/pub/psim/RUN
811 This file is found in:
813 ftp://ftp.ci.com.au/pub/psim/README
814 or ftp://cambridge.cygnus.com/pub/psim/README
817 Thanks goes firstly to:
819 Corinthian Engineering Pty Ltd
821 Highland Logic Pty Ltd
823 who provided the resources needed for making this software available
826 More importantly I'd like to thank the following individuals who each
827 contributed in their own unique way:
829 Allen Briggs, Bett Koch, David Edelsohn, Gordon Irlam,
830 Michael Meissner, Bob Mercier, Richard Perini, Dale Rahn,
831 Richard Stallman, Mitchele Walker
838 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
841 What features does PSIM include?
843 Monitoring and modeling
845 PSIM includes (thanks to Michael Meissner)
846 a detailed model of most of the PowerPC
847 implementations to the functional unit level.
852 The PowerPC ISA defines SMP synchronizing instructions.
853 This simulator implements a limited, but functional,
854 subset of the PowerPC synchronization instructions
855 behaviour. Programs that restrict their synchronization
856 primitives to those that work with this functional
857 sub-set (eg P() and V()) are able to run on the SMP
860 People intending to use this system should study
861 the code implementing the lwarx instruction.
865 PSIM implements the PowerPC's big and little (xor
866 endian) modes and correctly simulates code that
867 switches between these two modes.
869 In addition, psim can model a true little-endian
872 ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) models
874 PSIM includes a model of the UEA, VEA and OEA. This
875 includes the time base registers (VEA) and HTAB
878 In addition, a preliminary model of the 64 bit
879 PowerPC architecture is implemented.
883 PSIM's internals are based around the concept
884 of a Device Tree. This tree intentionally
885 resembles that of the Device Tree found in
886 OpenBoot firmware. PSIM is flexible enough
887 to allow the user to fully configure this device
888 tree (and consequently the hardware model) at
891 Run-time environments:
893 PSIM's UEA model includes emulation for BSD
894 based UNIX system calls.
896 PSIM's OEA model includes emulation of either:
898 o OpenBoot client interface
900 o MOTO's BUG interface.
905 Preliminary support for floating point is included.
908 Who would be interested in PSIM?
912 Using psim, gdb, gcc and binutils the curious
913 user can construct an environment that allows
914 them to play with PowerPC Environment without
915 the need for real hardware.
920 PSIM includes many (contributed) monitoring
921 features which (unlike many other simulators)
922 do not come with a great penalty in performance.
924 Thus the performance analyst is able to use
925 this simulator to analyse the performance of
926 the system under test.
928 If PSIM doesn't monitor a components of interest,
929 the source code is freely available, and hence
930 there is no hindrance to changing things
931 to meet a specific analysts needs.
934 o the serious SW developer
936 PSIM models all three levels of the PowerPC
937 Architecture: UEA, VEA and OEA. Further,
938 the internal design is such that PSIM can
939 be extended to support additional requirements.
942 What performance analysis measurements can PSIM perform?
944 Below is the output from a recent analysis run
945 (contributed by Michael Meissner):
947 For the following program:
952 static unsigned long seed = 47114711;
953 unsigned long this = seed * 1103515245 + 12345;
955 /* cut-cut-cut - see the file RUN.psim */
958 Here is the current output generated with the -I switch on a P90
959 (the compiler used is the development version of GCC with a new
960 scheduler replacing the old one):
962 CPU #1 executed 41,994 AND instructions.
963 CPU #1 executed 519,785 AND Immediate instructions.
967 CPU #1 executed 1 System Call instruction.
968 CPU #1 executed 207,746 XOR instructions.
970 CPU #1 executed 23,740,856 cycles.
971 CPU #1 executed 10,242,780 stalls waiting for data.
972 CPU #1 executed 1 stall waiting for a function unit.
976 CPU #1 executed 3,136,229 branch functional unit instructions.
977 CPU #1 executed 16,949,396 instructions that were accounted for in timing info.
978 CPU #1 executed 871,920 data reads.
979 CPU #1 executed 971,926 data writes.
980 CPU #1 executed 221 icache misses.
981 CPU #1 executed 16,949,396 instructions in total.
983 Simulator speed was 250,731 instructions/second
988 As an idea, psim was first discussed seriously during mid
989 1994. At that time its main objectives were:
994 Many simulators loose out by only providing
995 a binary interface to the internals. This
996 interface eventually becomes a bottle neck
997 in the simulators performance.
999 It was intended that PSIM would avoid this
1000 problem by giving the user access to the
1003 Further, by exploiting the power of modern
1004 compilers it was hoped that PSIM would achieve
1005 good performance with out having to compromise
1006 its internal design.
1009 o practical portability
1011 Rather than try to be portable to every
1012 C compiler on every platform, it was decided
1013 that PSIM would restrict its self to supporting
1014 ANSI compilers that included the extension
1015 of a long long type.
1017 GCC is one such compiler, consequently PSIM
1018 should be portable to any machine running GCC.
1021 o flexibility in its design
1023 PSIM should allow the user to select the
1024 features required and customise the build
1025 accordingly. By having the source code,
1026 the compiler is able to eliminate any un
1027 used features of the simulator.
1029 After all, let the compiler do the work.
1034 A model that allowed the simulation of
1035 SMP platforms with out the large overhead
1036 often encountered with such models.
1039 PSIM achieves each of these objectives.
1042 Is PSIM PowerPC Platform (PPCP) (nee CHRP) Compliant?
1046 Among other things it does not have an Apple ROM socket.
1049 Could PSIM be extended so that it models a CHRP machine?
1053 PSIM has been designed with the CHRP spec in mind. To model
1054 a CHRP desktop the following would need to be added:
1056 o An apple ROM socket :-)
1058 o Model of each of the desktop IO devices
1060 o An OpenPIC device.
1062 o RTAS (Run Time Abstraction Services).
1064 o A fully populated device tree.
1067 Is the source code available?
1071 The source code to PSIM is available under the terms of
1072 the GNU Public Licence. This allows you to distribute
1073 the source code for free but with certain conditions.
1077 ftp://archie.au/gnu/COPYING
1079 For details of the terms and conditions.
1082 Where do I send bugs or report problems?
1084 There is a mailing list (subscribe through majordomo@ci.com.au) at:
1086 powerpc-psim@ci.com.au
1088 If I get the ftp archive updated I post a note to that mailing list.
1089 In addition your welcome to send bugs or problems either to me or to
1092 This list currently averages zero articles a day.
1095 Does PSIM have any limitations or problems?
1097 PSIM can't run rs6000/AIX binaries - At present PSIM can only
1098 simulate static executables. Since an AIX executable is
1099 never static, PSIM is unable to simulate its execution.
1101 PSIM is still under development - consequently there are going
1104 See the file BUGS (included in the distribution) for any
1105 other outstanding issues.