ARM Compiler toolchain Using the Linker - ARM Information Center

5.13 Inlining functions with the linker
5.13.1 See also
Using linker optimizations
The linker can inline small functions in place of a branch instruction to that function. For the
linker to be able to do this, the function (without the return instruction) must fit in the four bytes
of the branch instruction.
Use the --inline and --no_inline command-line options to control branch inlining.
If branch inlining optimization is enabled, the linker scans each function call in the image and
then inlines as appropriate. When the linker finds a suitable function to inline, it replaces the
function call with the instruction from the function that is being called.
The linker applies branch inlining optimization before any unused sections are eliminated so
that inlined sections can also be removed if they are no longer called.
Note
The linker can inline two 16-bit instructions in place of the 32-bit Thumb BL instruction.
Use the --info=inline command-line option to list all the inlined functions.
Reference
• Factors that influence function inlining on page 5-19
• Elimination of unused sections on page 5-4.
Linker Reference:
• --info=topic[,topic,...] on page 2-80
• --inline, --no_inline on page 2-85.
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