---
title: "Enabling compiler built-ins"
weight: 7
---

From: `20.24.0`  

Many of the features or options in the ETL can be enhanced by the use of compiler built-ins.  
If built-ins are available and the STL is not used, then many copy type algorithms may be declared as `constexpr`.  
Also, some type traits can detect types more correctly.  

## Controlling Macros
If any of these are set to `1`, then the ETL will use the compiler built-ins, were applicable.  
Setting them to `0` will disable the use of the built-in.  
Setting any of these in the project or `etl_profile.h` will override any later tests.  

```cpp
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCPY
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCMP
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMMOVE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMSET
```

```cpp
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_ASSIGNABLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_CONSTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_CONSTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_DESTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_COPYABLE
```

## Defining macros
The use of built-ins can be controlled by macros.  

If `ETL_USING_MEM_BUILTINS` is defined and the corresponding macro has not already been set, then following will be set to `1`.
```cpp
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCPY
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCMP
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMMOVE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMSET
```

If `ETL_USING_TYPE_TRAITS_BUILTINS` is defined and the corresponding macro has not already been set, then following will be set to `1`.
```cpp
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_ASSIGNABLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_CONSTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_CONSTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_DESTRUCTIBLE
ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_COPYABLE
```

## Detection of built-ins
These tests occur after the above macro tests.  
The ETL will attempt to check the availability of compiler built-ins.  

If `__has_builtin` exists, then the existence of the following built-ins are checked.  
If not already defined, the corresponding macro is set according to the result.

---

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCPY = 1` if `__builtin_memcmp` exists, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMCPY = 1` if `__builtin_memcpy exists`, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMMOVE = 1` if `__builtin_memmove` exists, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_MEMSET = 1` if `__builtin_memset` exists, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_ASSIGNABLE = 1` if `__is_assignable exists`, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_CONSTRUCTIBLE = 1` if `__is_constructible` exists, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_CONSTRUCTIBLE = 1` if `__has_trivial_constructor` or `__is_trivially_constructible` exists, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_DESTRUCTIBLE = 1` if `__has_trivial_destructor` or `__is_trivially_destructible exists`, otherwise `0`.  

Sets `ETL_USE_BUILTIN_IS_TRIVIALLY_COPYABLE = 1` if `__has_trivial_copy` or `__is_trivially_copyable` exists, otherwise `0`.  

## Default
Finally, any macro that has so far not been defined will be defined as `0`.