Register variables are a special case of automatic variables. Automatic variables are allocated storage in the memory of the computer; however, for most computers, accessing data in memory is considerably slower than processing in the CPU. These computers often have small amounts of storage within the CPU itself where data can be stored and accessed quickly. These storage cells are called registers. Normally, the compiler determines what data is to be stored in the registers of the CPU at what times. However, the C language provides the storage class register so that the programmer can ``suggest'' to the compiler that particular automatic variables should be allocated to CPU registers, if possible. Thus, register variables provide a certain control over efficiency of program execution. Variables which are used repeatedly or whose access times are critical, may be declared to be of storage class register. Also these register variables are used in huge projects the tiny program developers are not interested to include these register variables, because the tiny programs never requires more time complete its job. These register variables may be used to store constant values so as to make use of it anywhere in the programs. main{ register float a=0;}
Register variables are stored in register of microprocessor/micro-controller. The read/write access to register variable is the fastest because CPU never need any memory BUS operation to access these variable. Auto variable are stored in stack thus access are much slower. Auto variable can be converted to register by using register keyword before it. It has platform specific limitation. Register variable will work only if free registers are available to hold the variable for a function scope. In case of Microprocessor or microcontrollers having very less number of general purpose registers will never take register variable even if we declare it as register.
Register storage class is a compiler hint that the variable will be often used, and that it should generate code, if it can, to keep the variable's value in a register.
The register keyword tells the compiler to store the variable onto the CPU register if space on the register is available. The reasoning is that register operations are always faster than memory operations and thus if used correctly, it can speed up an algorithm. However, the register keyword is a somewhat antiquated procedure since for quite a long time the optimizer in modern compilers are smart enough to detect when storing a variable on the register will be advantageous and will do so during optimization. There for, suggesting to the compiler to store a variable on the register can only make things slower if used incorrectly.The register keyword tells the compiler to store the variable onto the CPU register if space on the register is available. The reasoning is that register operations are always faster than memory operations and thus if used correctly, it can speed up an algorithm. However, the register keyword is a somewhat antiquated procedure since for quite a long time the optimizer in modern compilers are smart enough to detect when storing a variable on the register will be advantageous and will do so during optimization. There for, suggesting to the compiler to store a variable on the register can only make things slower if used incorrectly.
Faster execution of code.
There are four storage class specifiers in C and C++. These are - 1. auto : The storage specifier auto refers to automatic variable declaration. The life of an automatic variable is the time during which its parent function is running. The scope of an auto variable is the function scope. They can be accessed only from their parent functions. Syntax : auto int a; 2. register : A register variable has all the characteristics of an auto variable. The only difference is that auto variable uses the main memory to store data and register uses the CPU registers. 3. extern : This storage specifier is used to declare a global variable. The life of these variables is the time during which the program runs.
A register specifier for a variable is a compiler hint that the variable is used often and should be kept in a CPU register. The compiler will treat the variable as automatic, but it will give it preference for staying in a register between sequence points.
Register storage class is a compiler hint that the variable will be often used, and that it should generate code, if it can, to keep the variable's value in a register.
const
Either you get a compiler error. Or you get a compiler warning, and the variable won't be stored in register.
In C/C++ when we declare a variable; e.g int var; for this variable (i.e. var) memory is being reserved in RAM (i.e out side processor). If we declare variable like that; register int var2; for this variable memory is being reserved in register of CPU (i.e. withing processor) But register variables are discouraged because processor has to work with registers..... Note: strictly speaking, storage class 'register' means: dear compiler, you might optimize this variable into register, as I won't ever request its address. But of course, it's up to you to decide.
Register variables are stored in register of microprocessor/micro-controller. The read/write access to register variable is the fastest because CPU never need any memory BUS operation to access these variable. Auto variable are stored in stack thus access are much slower. Auto variable can be converted to register by using register keyword before it. It has platform specific limitation. Register variable will work only if free registers are available to hold the variable for a function scope. In case of Microprocessor or microcontrollers having very less number of general purpose registers will never take register variable even if we declare it as register.
accumulator
Register storage class is a compiler hint that the variable will be often used, and that it should generate code, if it can, to keep the variable's value in a register.
void myfun (void) { register int exforsys; ... }
Asks the compiler to devote a processor register to this variable in order to speed the program's execution. The compiler may not comply and the variable looses it contents and identity when the function it which it is defined terminates.
The register keyword tells the compiler to store the variable onto the CPU register if space on the register is available. The reasoning is that register operations are always faster than memory operations and thus if used correctly, it can speed up an algorithm. However, the register keyword is a somewhat antiquated procedure since for quite a long time the optimizer in modern compilers are smart enough to detect when storing a variable on the register will be advantageous and will do so during optimization. There for, suggesting to the compiler to store a variable on the register can only make things slower if used incorrectly.The register keyword tells the compiler to store the variable onto the CPU register if space on the register is available. The reasoning is that register operations are always faster than memory operations and thus if used correctly, it can speed up an algorithm. However, the register keyword is a somewhat antiquated procedure since for quite a long time the optimizer in modern compilers are smart enough to detect when storing a variable on the register will be advantageous and will do so during optimization. There for, suggesting to the compiler to store a variable on the register can only make things slower if used incorrectly.
A register variable is a variable that we wish to allocate in a CPU register rather than in a memory address (RAM). Register variables must be less than or equal in length to the word length of a CPU register which typically limits their use to integral types and pointers. Typical uses for register variables include counters, accumulators and other regularly-accessed variables within a localised code block. Storage classes were originally inherited from B, however only the static and extern storage classes have any meaningful purpose in C. The register storage class is largely redundant while the auto storage class is wholly redundant. Explicitly declaring a register variable is no guarantee the variable will actually be allocated to a register, it is merely a hint to the compiler that the variable is a candidate. However, modern compilers are perfectly capable of determining which variables make good candidates without hints, so there is typically no need to explicitly declare them. If we have more good candidates than there are registers available, explicitly declaring our preferred candidates might be considered worthwhile, however it's generally better to just let the compiler decide. Note that register variables have no memory address. If we take the address of any variable using the unary '&' operator, then that variable can no longer be considered as a register variable candidate by the compiler. If we explicitly declare a register variable and subsequently attempt to take its address, the compiler will issue a warning, yet another reason to simply let the compiler decide.