See related discussion in Bug #20319, and at http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc/2005-03/msg00450.html
The "used" attribute is described only under "function attributes" and not under "variable attributes" in the documentation: used This attribute, attached to a function, means that code must be emitted for the function even if it appears that the function is not referenced. This is useful, for example, when the function is referenced only in inline assembly. (see: http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-3.4.3/gcc/Function- Attributes.html#Function-Attributes) It would be helpful if the documentation were updated to describe the behavior of the `used' attribute when apllied to variables. -- Summary: documentation: attribute 'used', applied to a variable Product: gcc Version: 3.4.3 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: minor Priority: P2 Component: c AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: gary at intrepid dot com CC: gcc-bugs at gcc dot gnu dot org http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=20533
