Can't use the assert macro in an arm gcc project

0

I'm trying to modify a Tiva TM4C example project to be able to use the assert macro.

The first problem I get is that assert requires some symbols to be defined in order to build. These symbols are not defined in the projet's linker script, so I have changed -specs=tiva.specs by -specs=nosys.specs -Wl,--gc-sections --entry ResetISR. I have tested this change without using assert and it works.

However, if I include <assert.h> and do assert(0), I get the following error:

/usr/bin/../lib/gcc/arm-none-eabi/7.3.1/../../../../arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .init LMA [00000000000033a8,00000000000033ab] overlaps section .data LMA [00000000000033a5,0000000000003d50]
/usr/bin/../lib/gcc/arm-none-eabi/7.3.1/../../../../arm-none-eabi/lib/thumb/v7e-m/fpv4-sp/softfp/libnosys.a(sbrk.o): In function `_sbrk':
sbrk.c:(.text._sbrk+0x18): undefined reference to `end'
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status

To fix the above two errors, I add the symbol end to the linker script as following:

.bss :
{
    _bss = .;
    *(.bss*)
    *(COMMON)
    _ebss = .;
    end = .;   # I add this line in order to have this symbol defined
} > SRAM

and to fix the overlap problem I delete AT(ADDR(.text) + SIZEOF(.text)) from the following part:

.data : /* AT(ADDR(.text) + SIZEOF(.text)) */ --> I deleted this
{
    _data = .;
    *(vtable)
    *(.data*)
    _edata = .;
} > SRAM

After applying these changes, I'm able to build the elf file. However, when I try to flash it (using the lm4flash tool) it gets stuck and the MCU does nothing. Notice that I'm sure that lm4flash works because if I flash the before modifying anything, it works.

What is the right way to enable the assert macro?

I suspect that maybe the arm-gcc standard assert.h header is expecting some logic/symbols implemented, and my startup and linker script don't implement them.

EDIT

I have noticed that the binary builds if I change assert(0) by assert(1), but this is probably because the compiler is ignoring it because it is always true.

Project files

main.c

#include <assert.h>

int main(void)
{
  assert(0);
  return 0;
}

Linker file

MEMORY
{
    FLASH (rx) : ORIGIN = 0x00000000, LENGTH = 0x00040000
    SRAM (rwx) : ORIGIN = 0x20000000, LENGTH = 0x00008000
}

SECTIONS
{
    .text :
    {
        _text = .;
        KEEP(*(.isr_vector))
        *(.text*)
        *(.rodata*)
        _etext = .;
    } > FLASH

    .data : /* AT(ADDR(.text) + SIZEOF(.text)) see (1) */
    {
        _data = .;
        *(vtable)
        *(.data*)
        _edata = .;
    } > SRAM

    .bss :
    {
        _bss = .;
        *(.bss*)
        *(COMMON)
        _ebss = .;
        end = .; /* see (2) */
    } > SRAM
}

note (1): When trying to use assert I get the LMA overlap section error, however commenting this AT statement seems to solve the problem.

note (2): assert seems to need several missing symbols to be defined, one of them is end. The other are explained below.

cmake toolchain file

This file is included in the main CMakeLists one:

#Set cross compilation information
set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Generic)
set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR arm)

# GCC toolchain prefix
set(TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX "arm-none-eabi")

set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-gcc)
set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-g++)
set(CMAKE_ASM_COMPILER ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-as)
set(CMAKE_AR ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-ar)
set(CMAKE_OBJCOPY ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-objcopy)
set(CMAKE_OBJDUMP ${TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX}-objdump)

enable_language(ASM)

set(CPU "-mcpu=cortex-m4")
set(FPU "-mfpu=fpv4-sp-d16 -mfloat-abi=softfp")
set(CMAKE_ASM_FLAGS "${CMAKE_ASM_FLAGS} -mthumb ${CPU}  ${FPU} -MD")
set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "${CMAKE_C_FLAGS} -mthumb ${CPU} ${FPU} -std=gnu99 -Os -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -MD -Wall -pedantic")
set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -mthumb ${CPU} ${FPU}  -Os -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -MD -Wall -pedantic -fno-exceptions -fno-rtti")

set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_LINK_C_FLAGS "")
set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_LINK_CXX_FLAGS "")
set(CMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS "-T${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/tm4c123g.ld -specs=nosys.specs --entry ResetISR -Wl,--gc-sections") # See note (3)

# Processor specific definitions
add_definitions(-DPART_TM4C123GH6PM)
add_definitions(-DTARGET_IS_TM4C123_RA1)
add_definitions(-Dgcc)

set(FLASH_EXECUTABLE "lm4flash")
ADD_CUSTOM_TARGET("flash" DEPENDS ${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.axf
  COMMAND ${CMAKE_OBJCOPY} -O binary ${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.axf ${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.bin
  COMMAND ${FLASH_EXECUTABLE} ${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.bin
)

note (3): Originally, this line contained -specs=tiva.spec (shown below). The problem using this file is that there are several symbols that assert needs (such as _sbrk) which are not defined. However, nosys.specs contains stubs for all these symbols (all except end, explained above). The flags -Wl,--gc-sections and --entry are added my me as well (they were defined in tiva.spec)

CMakeLists.txt

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.8.2)
project(linux_blinky)

#Toolchain file
include(tm4c123g.cmake)

#Tivaware files
set(TIVAWARE_PATH "$ENV{HOME}/tiva-projects/tivaware")
include_directories(${TIVAWARE_PATH})

#Source files
file(GLOB SOURCES "src/*.c")
add_executable(${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.axf ${SOURCES})

target_link_libraries(${CMAKE_PROJECT_NAME}.axf 
    ${TIVAWARE_PATH}/usblib/gcc/libusb.a

    ${TIVAWARE_PATH}/driverlib/gcc/libdriver.a
)

Startup file

//*****************************************************************************
//
// startup_gcc.c - Startup code for use with GNU tools.
//
// Copyright (c) 2012-2014 Texas Instruments Incorporated.  All rights reserved.
// Software License Agreement
// 
// Texas Instruments (TI) is supplying this software for use solely and
// exclusively on TI's microcontroller products. The software is owned by
// TI and/or its suppliers, and is protected under applicable copyright
// laws. You may not combine this software with "viral" open-source
// software in order to form a larger program.
// 
// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITH ALL FAULTS.
// NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT
// NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
// A PARTICULAR PURPOSE APPLY TO THIS SOFTWARE. TI SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY
// CIRCUMSTANCES, BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
// DAMAGES, FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.
// 
// This is part of revision 2.1.0.12573 of the EK-TM4C123GXL Firmware Package.
//
//*****************************************************************************

#include <stdint.h>
#include "../../tivaware/inc/hw_nvic.h"
#include "../../tivaware/inc/hw_types.h"

//*****************************************************************************
//
// Forward declaration of the default fault handlers.
//
//*****************************************************************************
void ResetISR(void);
static void NmiSR(void);
static void FaultISR(void);
static void IntDefaultHandler(void);

//*****************************************************************************
//
// The entry point for the application.
//
//*****************************************************************************
extern int main(void);

//*****************************************************************************
//
// Reserve space for the system stack.
//
//*****************************************************************************
static uint32_t pui32Stack[64];

//*****************************************************************************
//
// The vector table.  Note that the proper constructs must be placed on this to
// ensure that it ends up at physical address 0x0000.0000.
//
//*****************************************************************************
__attribute__ ((section(".isr_vector")))
void (* const g_pfnVectors[])(void) =
{
    (void (*)(void))((uint32_t)pui32Stack + sizeof(pui32Stack)),
                                            // The initial stack pointer
    ResetISR,                               // The reset handler
    NmiSR,                                  // The NMI handler
    FaultISR,                               // The hard fault handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // The MPU fault handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // The bus fault handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // The usage fault handler
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // SVCall handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Debug monitor handler
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // The PendSV handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // The SysTick handler
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port C
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port D
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port E
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART0 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART1 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // SSI0 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C0 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM Fault
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM Generator 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM Generator 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM Generator 2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Quadrature Encoder 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC Sequence 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC Sequence 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC Sequence 2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC Sequence 3
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Watchdog timer
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 0 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 0 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 1 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 1 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 2 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 2 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Analog Comparator 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Analog Comparator 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Analog Comparator 2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // System Control (PLL, OSC, BO)
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // FLASH Control
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port F
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port G
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port H
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART2 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // SSI1 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 3 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 3 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C1 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Quadrature Encoder 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // CAN0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // CAN1
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Hibernate
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // USB0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM Generator 3
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // uDMA Software Transfer
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // uDMA Error
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC1 Sequence 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC1 Sequence 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC1 Sequence 2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // ADC1 Sequence 3
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port J
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port K
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port L
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // SSI2 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // SSI3 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART3 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART4 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART5 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART6 Rx and Tx
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // UART7 Rx and Tx
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C2 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C3 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 4 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 4 subtimer B
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 5 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Timer 5 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 0 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 0 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 1 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 1 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 2 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 2 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 3 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 3 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 4 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 4 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 5 subtimer A
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Wide Timer 5 subtimer B
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // FPU
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C4 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // I2C5 Master and Slave
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port M
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port N
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // Quadrature Encoder 2
    0,                                      // Reserved
    0,                                      // Reserved
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P (Summary or P0)
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P3
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P4
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P5
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P6
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port P7
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q (Summary or Q0)
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q3
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q4
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q5
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q6
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port Q7
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port R
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // GPIO Port S
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM 1 Generator 0
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM 1 Generator 1
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM 1 Generator 2
    IntDefaultHandler,                      // PWM 1 Generator 3
    IntDefaultHandler                       // PWM 1 Fault
};

//*****************************************************************************
//
// The following are constructs created by the linker, indicating where the
// the "data" and "bss" segments reside in memory.  The initializers for the
// for the "data" segment resides immediately following the "text" segment.
//
//*****************************************************************************
extern uint32_t _etext;
extern uint32_t _data;
extern uint32_t _edata;
extern uint32_t _bss;
extern uint32_t _ebss;

//*****************************************************************************
//
// This is the code that gets called when the processor first starts execution
// following a reset event.  Only the absolutely necessary set is performed,
// after which the application supplied entry() routine is called.  Any fancy
// actions (such as making decisions based on the reset cause register, and
// resetting the bits in that register) are left solely in the hands of the
// application.
//
//*****************************************************************************
void
ResetISR(void)
{
    uint32_t *pui32Src, *pui32Dest;

    //
    // Copy the data segment initializers from flash to SRAM.
    //
    pui32Src = &_etext;
    for(pui32Dest = &_data; pui32Dest < &_edata; )
    {
        *pui32Dest++ = *pui32Src++;
    }

    //
    // Zero fill the bss segment.
    //
    __asm("    ldr     r0, =_bss\n"
          "    ldr     r1, =_ebss\n"
          "    mov     r2, #0\n"
          "    .thumb_func\n"
          "zero_loop:\n"
          "        cmp     r0, r1\n"
          "        it      lt\n"
          "        strlt   r2, [r0], #4\n"
          "        blt     zero_loop");

    //
    // Enable the floating-point unit.  This must be done here to handle the
    // case where main() uses floating-point and the function prologue saves
    // floating-point registers (which will fault if floating-point is not
    // enabled).  Any configuration of the floating-point unit using DriverLib
    // APIs must be done here prior to the floating-point unit being enabled.
    //
    // Note that this does not use DriverLib since it might not be included in
    // this project.
    //
    HWREG(NVIC_CPAC) = ((HWREG(NVIC_CPAC) &
                         ~(NVIC_CPAC_CP10_M | NVIC_CPAC_CP11_M)) |
                        NVIC_CPAC_CP10_FULL | NVIC_CPAC_CP11_FULL);

    //
    // Call the application's entry point.
    //
    main();
}

//*****************************************************************************
//
// This is the code that gets called when the processor receives a NMI.  This
// simply enters an infinite loop, preserving the system state for examination
// by a debugger.
//
//*****************************************************************************
static void
NmiSR(void)
{
    //
    // Enter an infinite loop.
    //
    while(1)
    {
    }
}

//*****************************************************************************
//
// This is the code that gets called when the processor receives a fault
// interrupt.  This simply enters an infinite loop, preserving the system state
// for examination by a debugger.
//
//*****************************************************************************
static void
FaultISR(void)
{
    //
    // Enter an infinite loop.
    //
    while(1)
    {
    }
}

//*****************************************************************************
//
// This is the code that gets called when the processor receives an unexpected
// interrupt.  This simply enters an infinite loop, preserving the system state
// for examination by a debugger.
//
//*****************************************************************************
static void
IntDefaultHandler(void)
{
    //
    // Go into an infinite loop.
    //
    while(1)
    {
    }
}
arm
linker-errors
assert
linker-scripts
texas-instruments
asked on Stack Overflow Sep 12, 2020 by Dan • edited Sep 12, 2020 by Dan

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