Hello. gcc always replaces the name of the defined "__builtin_abs()" with "abs()". And it might cause the error if we also wants to define "abs()" function:
$ cat t.c int abs(int a) {return 0;} int __builtin_abs(int a) {return 0;} int main(void) { return (abs(-3) + __builtin_abs(-3)); } $ gcc t.c -c /tmp/ccdecizd.s: Assembler messages: /tmp/ccdecizd.s:14: Error: symbol `abs' is already defined In the case of "static" functions it's OK: $ cat t.c static int abs(int a) {return 0;} static int __builtin_abs(int a) {return 0;} int main(void) { return (abs(-3) + __builtin_abs(-3)); } $ gcc t.c -c ; echo $? 0 In this case we use unchanged names for the functions' call: $ gcc t.c -S && grep call t.s call abs call __builtin_abs This issue doesn't occur only on abs but also with the others builtins. $ ~/programs/gcc-4.4.0/bin/gcc -v Using built-in specs. Target: i686-pc-linux-gnu Configured with: ./configure --prefix=/home/glushkov/programs/gcc-4.4.0 --enable-languages=c,c++ Thread model: posix gcc version 4.4.0 (GCC) $ uname -a Linux expert 2.6.23-gentoo-r9-c2-uni1 #1 SMP Thu Jun 5 13:00:21 MSD 2008 i686 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux -- Summary: definitions of __builtin_abs() and abs() function in one module Product: gcc Version: unknown Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P3 Component: c AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: ivan dot glushkov at gmail dot com http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=40485