# Function Signature, Attributes and Variables

## Function Signature

A function's signature conveys the following information about a function:

1. The compiler-specific named calling convention
2. The function's return data type (void indicates no return value)
3. The function's name
4. Ordered list of named parameters and associated data types.

> While certain changes may be made without commiting all return and parameter details, those changes which are made that require a full commit will cause the Commit all return/parameter details checkbox to be enabled. The user may choose to alter this full commit by checking or unchecking the corresponding checkbox.

## Function Attributes

> The following function attributes affect disassembly and semantic analysis and may be set via the Edit Function dialog.

> ### Custom Storage

> The Custom Storage option, if enabled, provides the ability to explicitly specify return/parameter storage. By default, storage will be dynamically computed based upon calling convention and return/parameter data types. When dynamic storage is computed, hidden "auto-parameters" may be injected as well as the use of "forced-indirect" storage.

> ### Inline

> Any Inline function called by another function may be treated as inline code instead of a function call during analysis.

> ### No Return

> While a typical function call is always assumed to return and continue flowing to the next instruction, marking a function as No Return forces an implied return immediately following a call to such a function. Depending upon the state of disassembly, marking a function as No Return may help to prevent a call to such a function from falling-thru to the next instruction during disassembly. If disassembly has already been done and the fall-thru has been improperly disassembled, the Clear Flow and Repair action may be used to cleanup the bad fall-through.

> ### Varargs

> Designated by a trailing '...' in the function signature, indicates that a variable number of parameters is allowed. Common C functions which employ Varargs are printf and scanf.

> ### Call-Fixup

> A function may be tagged with a predefined Call-Fixup which can be used to alter/simplify the semantic effect of calling such a function. The available set of predefined call-fixups are defined within the compiler specification (*.cspec file) associated with a program. This feature is typically used when the effects of calling a well-known function need to be simplified so that the caller can be more easily analyzed and/or understood.

## Variables

There are two classes of function variables: Parameters and Local Variables. The term Parameter also includes the Function return value which has an associated data type and storage but has no ordinal.

Many processors use a stack as part of their calling conventions and/or for local variable storage. In some cases, the return address is pushed onto the stack during the call operation. Any references to the stack (e.g., references and variable storage) are relative to the stack pointer when the function is entered. For a negative growing stack (like the X86 processor), the stack would look something like this:

-n
. . .
Local Variables
. . .
Saved Registers
Return Address
Parameter 1
. . .
Parameters
n

Structures, Unions, and Arrays can be used to define variables as well as the built in primitive data types. To define structures, see Data Structure Editor

### Parameters (includes Function Return)

Storage for return/parameters can be computed dynamically based upon the associated calling convention and data types (i.e., complete function signature). The ability to properly compute the correct storage is limited by the current capabilities of the function prototype models and Decompiler within Ghidra. In some cases it will be necessary to enable Custom Storage for a function and specify the correct storage locations for the return/parameters including the ability to join multiple storage elements (i.e., varnodes) for a single parameter.

When parameter storage is determined dynamically, the calling convention may dictate the use of hidden parameters which we refer to as "auto-parameters" (auto). In addition, the "forced-indirect" (ptr) condition may be imposed on parameters when large data is forced to be passed by reference. When either of these is in use for the return or parameters, the (auto) or (ptr) designation will appear with the storage location displayed for each parameter. The parameter names 'this' and '__return_storage_ptr__' are reserved for the two supported auto-parameter cases. The 'this' auto-parameter is imposed by the __thiscall calling convention, while forced-indirect is imposed by certain calling conventions which limit the maximum size of any parameter passed by value. If forced-indirect is imposed on the return storage, the '__return_storage_ptr__' auto-parameter will be imposed to allow the function caller to specify a pointer to the full return storage data location. When using custom storage, it is assumed any auto-parameters will be explicitly defined as normal parameters if applicable. Within the Program API, auto-parameters may not be directly manipulated and are immutable.

The Function Editor is the most affective means of modifying the function signature either via the Code Browser listing or within the Decompiler

### Local Variables

Currently, there is no specific user interface action for creating Local Variables. Stack and register variables will be created automatically when a suitable stack or register reference is created via the user interface. Additionally, the Decompiler's commit actions will create Local Variables as needed. They can also be created programmatically.

In addition to register and stack locations, Local Variables also have the ability to be defined by the Decompiler to reflect temporary storage identified by a hash value. Please note that these hash type variables can sometimes not work as expected within the Decompiler. In addition, the scope of a local register variable is determined by its first-use-offset which reflects the instruction offset relative to the function entry point at which the variable is first written. The variable will remain in scope from that point forward until another local variable comes into scope for the same storage location. Local stack variables assume a first-use-offset of zero (0).

## Define Variable Data Type or Function Return Type

> Variables can be annotated with one of the built in or user defined data types. The undefined or previously defined variable will be redefined to the new data type.

> Variable data types, including parameters and return, can be defined one of four ways:

> - Using right-mouse-click on the return type or a parameter within a function signature displayed within the listing.

> > 1. Right mouse click on the return type or parameter within the function signature
> > 2. If the cursor is over the return type, Select Set Data Type ; if the cursor is over a parameter, select Set Data Type
> >    - The pull right menu lists data types that you have marked as "favorites."
> >    - After you apply a data type, this becomes your most recently used data type and is shown on the menu with the 'Y' as the "hot key."

> - Using right-mouse-click on a parameter, <RETURN> or local variable listed within the function variable listing

> > 1. Right mouse click on a parameter, <RETURN> or local variable
> > 2. Select Set Data Type
> >    - The pull right menu lists data types that you have marked as "favorites."
> >    - After you apply a data type, this becomes your most recently used data type and is shown on the menu with the 'Y' as the "hot key."

> - Using the Data Type Manager window (drag and drop)

> > 1. From the Code Browser tool bar select Display Data Types icon
> > 2. In the Data Type Manager window select the appropriate data type
> > 3. Drag and Drop the data type onto the target parameter, <RETURN> or local variable in the Code Browser

> - Assigned Quick key,

> > - Place the cursor on the target parameter, <RETURN> or local variable
> > - Press a quick key set to specify a data type (i.e., "b"-byte, "p"-pointer, ...)

## Edit Function

> Once a function has been created, there are many attributes of the function and its parameters that can be changed. The Function Editor Dialog allows you to make those changes. To edit a function do the following:

> 1. Place the cursor on a function signature
> 2. Right-mouse-click, and select Edit Function.
> 3. Edit any attributes of the function using the dialog.
> 4. Consider committing all return/parameter details
> 5. Press OK to save your changes.

> ### Function Signature Field

> The area at the top of the dialog is used to show the complete function signature. It will update as you make changes to the various fields in the dialog.

> You may also use this field to directly edit the signature, but beware that your changes will have to be parsed and the current parser is severely limited. Once you make a change in this field, all the other fields will be disabled temporarily until you complete your changes and press either <TAB> or <RETURN> to continue. You may also complete the edit by clicking outside of the signature field.

> If the parser fails to successfully parse your changed signature field, a dialog will appear giving you the option to continue typing in the field or aborting your edits in that field.

> > Due to limitations in the parser, there are many function signatures that Ghidra supports that you cannot directly enter by typing in the function signature field. For example, you cannot use the signature field to enter templated types. Also, the parser currently only supports common datatypes and datatypes that are currently used in your program. To enter more complicated values or find datatypes from open archives, use the more precise controls that the dialog provides.

> ### Function Name

> This text field can be used to change the name of the function.

> ### Calling Convention

> This field is a combobox that allows you to choose a calling convention from the list of known calling conventions for this processor and compiler specification. This choice will have no affect on storage if the Custom Storage checkbox has been selected.

> ### Function Attributes

> This sections contains a set of miscellaneous checkboxes that affect the function.

> - Varargs - sets the function to have a variable number of arguments.
> - In Line - indicates this functions code is placed in line with the calling function.
> - No Return - used to indicate if this function does not return.
> - Use Custom Storage - If selected, the user can edit and change the storage of the return value and the parameters. Otherwise, the storage is deteremind by the selected calling convention.

> ### Parameters/Return Type Table

> The parameters/return type table allows the user to add or remove parameters as well as changing their names and datatypes. It also displays the return value datatype and storage. Also, if the Use Custom Storage checkbox is selected, the storage of the parameters and return type can be changed.

> #### Table fields

> - Index - indicates its ordinal position in the signature (starts with 1). This field can't be edited directly, but can be affected by the Up and Down buttons. Note: this field is blank for the return value.
> - Datatype - indicates the datatype of the parameter or return type. Clicking on this field will bring up a DataType Chooser Dialog.
> - Name - the name of the parameter. This field can be edited directly in the table cell. Note: the name of the "return value" is <RETURN> and can't be changed.
> - Storage - the storage for the parameter or return value. If the Use Custom Storage checkbox is selected, this field can be edited by clicking on it and bringing up the parameter editor dialog. If not using custom storage, auto-parameters or forced-indirect storage may be imposed as determined by the selected calling convention and is designated by (auto) or (ptr) with the displayed computed storage.

> #### Table Buttons

> - Add - Adds a new parameter to the function
> - Remove - Removes the selected row (parameter) from the table.
> - Up - Moves the selected parameter earlier in the signature.
> - Down - Moves the selected parameter later in the signature.

> ### Call Fixup

> This field is a combobox that allows use to use a predefined Call-Fixup. A function may be tagged with a predefined Call-Fixup which can be used to alter/simplify the semantic effect of calling such a function. The available set of predefined Call-Fixups are defined within the compiler specification (*.cspec file) associated with a program. This feature is typically used when the effects of calling a well-known function need to be simplified so that the caller can be more easily analyzed and/or understood.

> ### Commit all return/parameter details

> This checkbox controls whether a complete function update will be performed, including datatype and optional custom-storage details, for the return and all parameters. This checkbox will enable itself when specific changes are made which require a complete commit in order to preserve what is seen in the editor. Use of custom storage or altering return or parameter datatypes will require a full commit in order to retain such changes. It is important to note that a full Commit with storage and/or datatype changes will impose a USER_DEFINED Signature Source which will lock-in parameter details within the Decompiler. The Signature Source Function Listing Field can be useful for monitoring this state.

> > If the signature has been autogenerated by the decompiler and changes have been made to things other than the signature, like calling convention or callfixup, that may affect the generated signature. Consider changing the calling convention only to check if the decompiler would generate the same signature unless you are sure the generated signature is correct.

> Prior to clicking the dialog's OK button the user may uncheck this control to prevent return/parameter changes from being committed. Once datatype or custom-storage choices have been changed, any parameter name changes will also require a full commit to preserve such changes. A full commit is not required if only parameter names have been changed. The exception to this is when the Function Editor is used within the Decompiler and parameters have not previously be committed.

## Edit Parameter Storage Dialog

> This dialog is invoked by clicking on the storage column in the Edit Function dialog. This dialog allows your to precisely specify the storage of a parameter. The parameter can even be divided amongst multiple storage locations. Each row of the table specifies a storage location used by the parameter.

> ### Size Information

> The top of the dialog shows two sizes. The Datatype size is the size required to store the parameter based on its current datatype. The Allocated Size shows how much storage as been allocated based on the rows in the table.

> ### Storage Table

> A table of storage locations where each row represents a storage location. You must add enough storage location rows to get enough storage space for the size of the parameters datatype.

> > #### Table Columns

> > - Type - the type of storage. Can be either Stack, Register, or Memory. Clicking on the field will bring up a table version of a combo-box.
> > - Location - Indicates the specific location for the type. For stack, it will be an integer offset. For register, it will be the name of the register. For memory, it will be the address. Clicking on this field will bring up an editor appropriate for the storage type.
> > - Size - The size for this storage. For stack and memory, it will be the number of consecutive bytes to use for this storage. For a register, it will the number of bytes to use within the register, up to the size of the register.

> > #### Table Buttons

> > - Add - Adds a new storage location
> > - Remove - Removes the selected row (storage location) from the table.
> > - Up - Moves the selected storage location earlier in the allocation.
> > - Down - Moves the selected storage location later in the allocation.

## Create Function Definition

> Once you have defined a function, you can make a function signature definition which is a new data type that can be applied to another function so that it has the same signature. The data type appears under the program node in the Manage Data Types window.

> To create a function definition, position the cursor on a function signature, right mouse click and select Create Function Definition.

> A new data type is created; the name of the data type is the same name as the function.

> To create a new function signature definition using the one you created, drag the data type from the Data Type Manager window and drop it on the existing function where you want the new function signature to be created.

> If you attempt to create a function definition on one that you have already defined, nothing happens.

## Rename Variable

> Rename Variable will change the name of a variable from its default name to a user-defined name.

> To Rename a Variable,

> 1. Place the cursor on the target variable within the function variable listing
> 2. Right-mouse-click, select Function VariablesRename Parameter... or Function VariablesRename Local Variable...
> 3. Type the new variable name in the dialog and press<Enter>, OR click on the OK button

## Delete Variable

> Delete Variable will remove the target variable from the listing. There is no confirmation with Delete Variable. However, the operation can be undone using the Undo operation.

> To delete a variable,

> 1. Place the cursor on the target variable within the function variable listing
> 2. Right-mouse-click, select Function VariablesDelete Parameter or Function VariablesDelete Local Variable

## Edit Comment

> Stack Parameters and Local variables can have comments associated with them. The comment is free form text. If a comment already exists, the comment is modified.

> To add/edit a comment to a variable,

> 1. Place the cursor on the target variable
> 2. Right-mouse-click, select Edit Comment
> 3. Enter the comment.
> 4. Select OK

## Remove Comment

To remove a function variable comment,

1. Place the cursor on the variable comment
2. Hit the <Delete> key

## Recently Used Data Type

The data menu shows an option for the data type that was most recently used. By default, the "hot key" assigned to this option is 'y,' however, you can change the key assignment through the key bindings panel on the Edit Options dialog.

Provided By: Function Plugin

Related Topics:

- Data Structure Editor
- Data Type Manager
- Functions