The RealView Compilation Tools 4.0 include:

• The RealView C/C++ Compiler (armcc),
• Microlib,
• The RealView Macro Assembler (armasm),
• The RealView Linker (armLink),
• and RealView Utilities (Librarian and FromELF).

These development tools for the ARM family of microcontrollers allow you to write ARM applications in C or C++ that, once compiled, have the efficiency and speed of assembly language.

The RealView Compilation tools translate C/C++ source files into relocatable object modules which contain full symbolic information for debugging with the µVision Debugger or an in-circuit emulator. In addition to the object file, the compiler generates a listing file which may optionally include symbol table and cross-reference information.

Continuous Improvement

The ARM RealView Compilation Tools are industry recognized as the highest performance ARM technology-targeted compilers. Developed and tuned to deliver the highest code density, the RealView Compiler produces the smallest code size which leads to significant product cost savings. The compiler generates optimized code for both the 32-bit ARM and 16-bit Thumb instruction sets while supporting ISO Standard C and C++.

The RealView Compilation Tools have been consistently refined and improved both in code density and performance and with new features such as MicroLib.

RealView C/C++ Compiler (armcc)
Features and Benefits

• ARM and Thumb® generation modes.
  You can mix ARM and Thumb code in the same source file. ARM mode allows for faster code operation making it ideal for interrupt handlers. Thumb mode provides the smallest code size.
• Industry leading code size optimizations.
  Enables you achieve memory cost savings by generating the smallest compiled code size.
• Industry leading code performance optimizations.
  Reduces power consumption by enabling increased throughput without clock speed increases.
• Function Attributes for Hardware Support.
  The RealView C compiler provides function attributes that give you access to ARM hardware features. For example:
  • __irq allows you to create interrupt service routines in C.
  • __swi(id) allows you to invoke a software interrupt handler.
• Embedded Assembler.
  You may insert assembler code into C function definitions. This capability is necessary for fast DSP and other signal-processing algorithms. The RealView compiler supports full program optimization even when embedded assembler is used.
• Function In-lining.
  You may speed-up execution of frequently called functions by using function inlining. Inline functions are expanded inline without the overhead associated with function call, parameter passing, and return.
• Parameter Passing in CPU Registers.
  The RealView compiler automatically uses CPU registers to pass most function arguments. It can even pass and return small C structs in registers.
• Reentrant Run-time Library.
  Most library routines are reentrant (refer to the library reference in the Compiler User's Guide) and may be invoked from the main program thread and from interrupts. There is no need to include special protection schemes for library calls.
• IEEE-754 Compliant Single and Double Precision Floating-point.
  High accuracy floating-point support.