Syntax of AMDGPU Instruction Modifiers¶
- Conventions
- Modifiers
- DS Modifiers
- EXP Modifiers
- FLAT Modifiers
- MIMG Modifiers
- Miscellaneous Modifiers
- MUBUF/MTBUF Modifiers
- SMRD/SMEM Modifiers
- VINTRP Modifiers
- DPP8 Modifiers
- DPP/DPP16 Modifiers
- SDWA Modifiers
- SDWA Operand Modifiers
- VOP3 Modifiers
- VOP3 Operand Modifiers
- VOP3P Modifiers
- VOP3P V_MAD_MIX Modifiers
- VOP3P MFMA Modifiers
Conventions¶
The following notation is used throughout this document:
Notation Description {0..N} Any integer value in the range from 0 to N (inclusive). <x> Syntax and meaning of x is explained elsewhere.
Modifiers¶
DS Modifiers¶
offset8¶
Specifies an immediate unsigned 8-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Used with DS instructions which have 2 addresses.
Syntax Description offset:{0..0xFF} Specifies an unsigned 8-bit offset as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:0xff
offset:2-x
offset:-x-y
offset16¶
Specifies an immediate unsigned 16-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Used with DS instructions which have 1 address.
Syntax Description offset:{0..0xFFFF} Specifies an unsigned 16-bit offset as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:65535
offset:0xffff
offset:-x-y
swizzle pattern¶
This is a special modifier which may be used with ds_swizzle_b32 instruction only. It specifies a swizzle pattern in numeric or symbolic form. The default value is 0.
See AMD documentation for more information.
Syntax Description offset:{0..0xFFFF} Specifies a 16-bit swizzle pattern. offset:swizzle(QUAD_PERM,{0..3},{0..3},{0..3},{0..3}) Specifies a quad permute mode pattern
Each number is a lane id.
offset:swizzle(BITMASK_PERM, “<mask>”) Specifies a bitmask permute mode pattern.
The pattern converts a 5-bit lane id to another lane id with which the lane interacts.
mask is a 5 character sequence which specifies how to transform the bits of the lane id.
The following characters are allowed:
- “0” - set bit to 0.
- “1” - set bit to 1.
- “p” - preserve bit.
- “i” - inverse bit.
offset:swizzle(BROADCAST,{2..32},{0..N}) Specifies a broadcast mode.
Broadcasts the value of any particular lane to all lanes in its group.
The first numeric parameter is a group size and must be equal to 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32.
The second numeric parameter is an index of the lane being broadcasted.
The index must not exceed group size.
offset:swizzle(SWAP,{1..16}) Specifies a swap mode.
Swaps the neighboring groups of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 lanes.
offset:swizzle(REVERSE,{2..32}) Specifies a reverse mode.
Reverses the lanes for groups of 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 lanes.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
offset:255
offset:0xffff
offset:swizzle(QUAD_PERM, 0, 1, 2, 3)
offset:swizzle(BITMASK_PERM, "01pi0")
offset:swizzle(BROADCAST, 2, 0)
offset:swizzle(SWAP, 8)
offset:swizzle(REVERSE, 30 + 2)
EXP Modifiers¶
done¶
Specifies if this is the last export from the shader to the target. By default, exp instruction does not finish an export sequence.
Syntax Description done Indicates the last export operation.
FLAT Modifiers¶
offset12¶
Specifies an immediate unsigned 12-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Cannot be used with global/scratch opcodes. GFX9 only.
Syntax Description offset:{0..4095} Specifies a 12-bit unsigned offset as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:4095
offset:x-0xff
offset13s¶
Specifies an immediate signed 13-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Can be used with global/scratch opcodes only. GFX9 only.
Syntax Description offset:{-4096..4095} Specifies a 13-bit signed offset as an integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:-4000
offset:0x10
offset:-x
offset12s¶
Specifies an immediate signed 12-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Can be used with global/scratch opcodes only.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description offset:{-2048..2047} Specifies a 12-bit signed offset as an integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:-2000
offset:0x10
offset:-x+y
offset11¶
Specifies an immediate unsigned 11-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Cannot be used with global/scratch opcodes.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description offset:{0..2047} Specifies an 11-bit unsigned offset as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:2047
offset:x+0xff
MIMG Modifiers¶
dmask¶
Specifies which channels (image components) are used by the operation. By default, no channels are used.
Syntax Description dmask:{0..15} Specifies image channels as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Each bit corresponds to one of 4 image components (RGBA).
If the specified bit value is 0, the component is not used, value 1 means that the component is used.
This modifier has some limitations depending on instruction kind:
Instruction Kind Valid dmask Values 32-bit atomic cmpswap 0x3 32-bit atomic instructions except for cmpswap 0x1 64-bit atomic cmpswap 0xF 64-bit atomic instructions except for cmpswap 0x3 gather4 0x1, 0x2, 0x4, 0x8 Other instructions any value
Examples:
dmask:0xf
dmask:0b1111
dmask:x|y|z
unorm¶
Specifies whether the address is normalized or not (the address is normalized by default).
Syntax Description unorm Force the address to be unnormalized.
r128¶
Specifies texture resource size. The default size is 256 bits.
GFX7, GFX8 and GFX10 only.
Syntax Description r128 Specifies 128 bits texture resource size.
Warning
Using this modifier should descrease rsrc operand size from 8 to 4 dwords, but assembler does not currently support this feature.
lwe¶
Specifies LOD warning status (LOD warning is disabled by default).
Syntax Description lwe Enables LOD warning.
da¶
Specifies if an array index must be sent to TA. By default, array index is not sent.
Syntax Description da Send an array-index to TA.
d16¶
Specifies data size: 16 or 32 bits (32 bits by default). Not supported by GFX7.
Syntax Description d16 Enables 16-bits data mode.
On loads, convert data in memory to 16-bit format before storing it in VGPRs.
For stores, convert 16-bit data in VGPRs to 32 bits before going to memory.
Note that GFX8.0 does not support data packing. Each 16-bit data element occupies 1 VGPR.
GFX8.1, GFX9 and GFX10 support data packing. Each pair of 16-bit data elements occupies 1 VGPR.
a16¶
Specifies size of image address components: 16 or 32 bits (32 bits by default). GFX9 and GFX10 only.
Syntax Description a16 Enables 16-bits image address components.
dim¶
Specifies surface dimension. This is a mandatory modifier. There is no default value.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description dim:1D One-dimensional image. dim:2D Two-dimensional image. dim:3D Three-dimensional image. dim:CUBE Cubemap array. dim:1D_ARRAY One-dimensional image array. dim:2D_ARRAY Two-dimensional image array. dim:2D_MSAA Two-dimensional multi-sample auto-aliasing image. dim:2D_MSAA_ARRAY Two-dimensional multi-sample auto-aliasing image array.
The following table defines an alternative syntax which is supported for compatibility with SP3 assembler:
Syntax Description dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_1D One-dimensional image. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_2D Two-dimensional image. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_3D Three-dimensional image. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_CUBE Cubemap array. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_1D_ARRAY One-dimensional image array. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_2D_ARRAY Two-dimensional image array. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_2D_MSAA Two-dimensional multi-sample auto-aliasing image. dim:SQ_RSRC_IMG_2D_MSAA_ARRAY Two-dimensional multi-sample auto-aliasing image array.
Miscellaneous Modifiers¶
dlc¶
Controls device level cache policy for memory operations. Used for synchronization. When specified, forces operation to bypass device level cache making the operation device level coherent. By default, instructions use device level cache.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description dlc Bypass device level cache.
glc¶
This modifier has different meaning for loads, stores, and atomic operations. The default value is off (0).
See AMD documentation for details.
Syntax Description glc Set glc bit to 1.
lds¶
Specifies where to store the result: VGPRs or LDS (VGPRs by default).
Syntax Description lds Store result in LDS.
nv¶
Specifies if instruction is operating on non-volatile memory. By default, memory is volatile.
GFX9 only.
Syntax Description nv Indicates that instruction operates on non-volatile memory.
MUBUF/MTBUF Modifiers¶
idxen¶
Specifies whether address components include an index. By default, no components are used.
Can be used together with offen.
Cannot be used with addr64.
Syntax Description idxen Address components include an index.
offen¶
Specifies whether address components include an offset. By default, no components are used.
Can be used together with idxen.
Cannot be used with addr64.
Syntax Description offen Address components include an offset.
addr64¶
Specifies whether a 64-bit address is used. By default, no address is used.
GFX7 only. Cannot be used with offen and idxen modifiers.
Syntax Description addr64 A 64-bit address is used.
offset12¶
Specifies an immediate unsigned 12-bit offset, in bytes. The default value is 0.
Syntax Description offset:{0..0xFFF} Specifies a 12-bit unsigned offset as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Examples:
offset:x+y
offset:0x10
DPP8 Modifiers¶
GFX10 only.
dpp8_sel¶
Selects which lanes to pull data from, within a group of 8 lanes. This is a mandatory modifier. There is no default value.
GFX10 only.
The dpp8_sel modifier must specify exactly 8 values. First value selects which lane to read from to supply data into lane 0. Second value controls lane 1 and so on.
Each value may be specified as either an integer number or an absolute expression.
Syntax Description dpp8:[{0..7},{0..7},{0..7},{0..7},{0..7},{0..7},{0..7},{0..7}] Select lanes to read from.
Examples:
dpp8:[7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0]
dpp8:[0,1,0,1,0,1,0,1]
fi¶
Controls interaction with inactive lanes for dpp8 instructions. The default value is zero.
Note: inactive lanes are those whose exec mask bit is zero.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description fi:0 Fetch zero when accessing data from inactive lanes. fi:1 Fetch pre-exist values from inactive lanes.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
DPP/DPP16 Modifiers¶
GFX8, GFX9 and GFX10 only.
dpp_ctrl¶
Specifies how data are shared between threads. This is a mandatory modifier. There is no default value.
GFX8 and GFX9 only. Use dpp16_ctrl for GFX10.
Note: the lanes of a wavefront are organized in four rows and four banks.
Syntax Description quad_perm:[{0..3},{0..3},{0..3},{0..3}] Full permute of 4 threads. row_mirror Mirror threads within row. row_half_mirror Mirror threads within 1/2 row (8 threads). row_bcast:15 Broadcast 15th thread of each row to next row. row_bcast:31 Broadcast thread 31 to rows 2 and 3. wave_shl:1 Wavefront left shift by 1 thread. wave_rol:1 Wavefront left rotate by 1 thread. wave_shr:1 Wavefront right shift by 1 thread. wave_ror:1 Wavefront right rotate by 1 thread. row_shl:{1..15} Row shift left by 1-15 threads. row_shr:{1..15} Row shift right by 1-15 threads. row_ror:{1..15} Row rotate right by 1-15 threads.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
quad_perm:[0, 1, 2, 3]
row_shl:3
dpp16_ctrl¶
Specifies how data are shared between threads. This is a mandatory modifier. There is no default value.
GFX10 only. Use dpp_ctrl for GFX8 and GFX9.
Note: the lanes of a wavefront are organized in four rows and four banks. (There are only two rows in wave32 mode.)
Syntax Description quad_perm:[{0..3},{0..3},{0..3},{0..3}] Full permute of 4 threads. row_mirror Mirror threads within row. row_half_mirror Mirror threads within 1/2 row (8 threads). row_share:{0..15} Share the value from the specified lane with other lanes in the row. row_xmask:{0..15} Fetch from XOR(current lane id, specified lane id). row_shl:{1..15} Row shift left by 1-15 threads. row_shr:{1..15} Row shift right by 1-15 threads. row_ror:{1..15} Row rotate right by 1-15 threads.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
quad_perm:[0, 1, 2, 3]
row_shl:3
row_mask¶
Controls which rows are enabled for data sharing. By default, all rows are enabled.
Note: the lanes of a wavefront are organized in four rows and four banks. (There are only two rows in wave32 mode.)
Syntax Description row_mask:{0..15} Specifies a row mask as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Each of 4 bits in the mask controls one row (0 - disabled, 1 - enabled).
In wave32 mode the values should be limited to 0..7.
Examples:
row_mask:0xf
row_mask:0b1010
row_mask:x|y
bank_mask¶
Controls which banks are enabled for data sharing. By default, all banks are enabled.
Note: the lanes of a wavefront are organized in four rows and four banks. (There are only two rows in wave32 mode.)
Syntax Description bank_mask:{0..15} Specifies a bank mask as a positive integer number or an absolute expression.
Each of 4 bits in the mask controls one bank (0 - disabled, 1 - enabled).
Examples:
bank_mask:0x3
bank_mask:0b0011
bank_mask:x&y
bound_ctrl¶
Controls data sharing when accessing an invalid lane. By default, data sharing with invalid lanes is disabled.
Syntax Description bound_ctrl:0 Enables data sharing with invalid lanes.
Accessing data from an invalid lane will return zero.
fi¶
Controls interaction with inactive lanes for dpp16 instructions. The default value is zero.
Note: inactive lanes are those whose exec mask bit is zero.
GFX10 only.
Syntax Description fi:0 Interaction with inactive lanes is controlled by bound_ctrl. fi:1 Fetch pre-exist values from inactive lanes.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
SDWA Modifiers¶
GFX8, GFX9 and GFX10 only.
dst_sel¶
Selects which bits in the destination are affected. By default, all bits are affected.
Syntax Description dst_sel:DWORD Use bits 31:0. dst_sel:BYTE_0 Use bits 7:0. dst_sel:BYTE_1 Use bits 15:8. dst_sel:BYTE_2 Use bits 23:16. dst_sel:BYTE_3 Use bits 31:24. dst_sel:WORD_0 Use bits 15:0. dst_sel:WORD_1 Use bits 31:16.
dst_unused¶
Controls what to do with the bits in the destination which are not selected by dst_sel. By default, unused bits are preserved.
Syntax Description dst_unused:UNUSED_PAD Pad with zeros. dst_unused:UNUSED_SEXT Sign-extend upper bits, zero lower bits. dst_unused:UNUSED_PRESERVE Preserve bits.
src0_sel¶
Controls which bits in the src0 are used. By default, all bits are used.
Syntax Description src0_sel:DWORD Use bits 31:0. src0_sel:BYTE_0 Use bits 7:0. src0_sel:BYTE_1 Use bits 15:8. src0_sel:BYTE_2 Use bits 23:16. src0_sel:BYTE_3 Use bits 31:24. src0_sel:WORD_0 Use bits 15:0. src0_sel:WORD_1 Use bits 31:16.
src1_sel¶
Controls which bits in the src1 are used. By default, all bits are used.
Syntax Description src1_sel:DWORD Use bits 31:0. src1_sel:BYTE_0 Use bits 7:0. src1_sel:BYTE_1 Use bits 15:8. src1_sel:BYTE_2 Use bits 23:16. src1_sel:BYTE_3 Use bits 31:24. src1_sel:WORD_0 Use bits 15:0. src1_sel:WORD_1 Use bits 31:16.
SDWA Operand Modifiers¶
Operand modifiers are not used separately. They are applied to source operands.
GFX8, GFX9 and GFX10 only.
VOP3 Modifiers¶
op_sel¶
Selects the low [15:0] or high [31:16] operand bits for source and destination operands. By default, low bits are used for all operands.
The number of values specified with the op_sel modifier must match the number of instruction operands (both source and destination). First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on, except that the last value controls destination. The value 0 selects the low bits, while 1 selects the high bits.
Note: op_sel modifier affects 16-bit operands only. For 32-bit operands the value specified by op_sel must be 0.
GFX9 and GFX10 only.
Syntax Description op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 1 source operand. op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 2 source operands. op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 3 source operands.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
op_sel:[0,0]
op_sel:[0,1]
clamp¶
Clamp meaning depends on instruction.
For v_cmp instructions, clamp modifier indicates that the compare signals if a floating point exception occurs. By default, signaling is disabled. Not supported by GFX7.
For integer operations, clamp modifier indicates that the result must be clamped to the largest and smallest representable value. By default, there is no clamping. Integer clamping is not supported by GFX7.
For floating point operations, clamp modifier indicates that the result must be clamped to the range [0.0, 1.0]. By default, there is no clamping.
Note: clamp modifier is applied after output modifiers (if any).
Syntax Description clamp Enables clamping (or signaling).
omod¶
Specifies if an output modifier must be applied to the result. By default, no output modifiers are applied.
Note: output modifiers are applied before clamping (if any).
Output modifiers are valid for f32 and f64 floating point results only. They must not be used with f16.
Note: v_cvt_f16_f32 is an exception. This instruction produces f16 result but accepts output modifiers.
Syntax Description mul:2 Multiply the result by 2. mul:4 Multiply the result by 4. div:2 Multiply the result by 0.5.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
mul:2
mul:x // x must be equal to 2 or 4
VOP3 Operand Modifiers¶
Operand modifiers are not used separately. They are applied to source operands.
abs¶
Computes the absolute value of its operand. Must be applied before neg (if any). Valid for floating point operands only.
Syntax Description abs(<operand>) Get the absolute value of a floating-point operand. |<operand>| The same as above (an SP3 syntax).
Note: avoid using SP3 syntax with operands specified as expressions because the trailing ‘|’ may be misinterpreted. Such operands should be enclosed into additional parentheses as shown in examples below.
Examples:
abs(v36) |v36| abs(x|y) // ok |(x|y)| // additional parentheses are required
neg¶
Computes the negative value of its operand. Must be applied after abs (if any). Valid for floating point operands only.
Syntax Description neg(<operand>) Get the negative value of a floating-point operand. The operand may include an optional abs modifier. -<operand> The same as above (an SP3 syntax).
Note: SP3 syntax is supported with limitations because of a potential ambiguity. Currently it is allowed in the following cases:
In all other cases “-” is handled as a part of an expression that follows the sign.
Examples:
// Operands with negate modifiers neg(v[0]) neg(1.0) neg(abs(v0)) -v5 -abs(v5) -|v5| // Operands without negate modifiers -1 -x+y
VOP3P Modifiers¶
This section describes modifiers of regular VOP3P instructions.
v_mad_mix* and v_fma_mix* instructions use these modifiers in a special manner.
GFX9 and GFX10 only.
op_sel¶
Selects the low [15:0] or high [31:16] operand bits as input to the operation which results in the lower-half of the destination. By default, low bits are used for all operands.
The number of values specified by the op_sel modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 selects the low bits, while 1 selects the high bits.
Syntax Description op_sel:[{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 1 source operand. op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 2 source operands. op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 3 source operands.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
op_sel:[0,0]
op_sel:[0,1,0]
op_sel_hi¶
Selects the low [15:0] or high [31:16] operand bits as input to the operation which results in the upper-half of the destination. By default, high bits are used for all operands.
The number of values specified by the op_sel_hi modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 selects the low bits, while 1 selects the high bits.
Syntax Description op_sel_hi:[{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 1 source operand. op_sel_hi:[{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 2 source operands. op_sel_hi:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select operand bits for instructions with 3 source operands.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
op_sel_hi:[0,0]
op_sel_hi:[0,0,1]
neg_lo¶
Specifies whether to change sign of operand values selected by op_sel. These values are then used as input to the operation which results in the upper-half of the destination.
The number of values specified by this modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 indicates that the corresponding operand value is used unmodified, the value 1 indicates that negative value of the operand must be used.
By default, operand values are used unmodified.
This modifier is valid for floating point operands only.
Syntax Description neg_lo:[{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 1 source operand. neg_lo:[{0..1},{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 2 source operands. neg_lo:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 3 source operands.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
neg_lo:[0]
neg_lo:[0,1]
neg_hi¶
Specifies whether to change sign of operand values selected by op_sel_hi. These values are then used as input to the operation which results in the upper-half of the destination.
The number of values specified by this modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 indicates that the corresponding operand value is used unmodified, the value 1 indicates that negative value of the operand must be used.
By default, operand values are used unmodified.
This modifier is valid for floating point operands only.
Syntax Description neg_hi:[{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 1 source operand. neg_hi:[{0..1},{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 2 source operands. neg_hi:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select affected operands for instructions with 3 source operands.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
neg_hi:[1,0]
neg_hi:[0,1,1]
VOP3P V_MAD_MIX Modifiers¶
v_mad_mix* and v_fma_mix* instructions use op_sel and op_sel_hi modifiers in a manner different from regular VOP3P instructions.
See a description below.
GFX9 and GFX10 only.
m_op_sel¶
This operand has meaning only for 16-bit source operands as indicated by m_op_sel_hi. It specifies to select either the low [15:0] or high [31:16] operand bits as input to the operation.
The number of values specified by the op_sel modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 indicates the low bits, the value 1 indicates the high 16 bits.
By default, low bits are used for all operands.
Syntax Description op_sel:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select location of each 16-bit source operand.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
op_sel:[0,1]
m_op_sel_hi¶
Selects the size of source operands: either 32 bits or 16 bits. By default, 32 bits are used for all source operands.
The number of values specified by the op_sel_hi modifier must match the number of source operands. First value controls src0, second value controls src1 and so on.
The value 0 indicates 32 bits, the value 1 indicates 16 bits.
The location of 16 bits in the operand may be specified by m_op_sel.
Syntax Description op_sel_hi:[{0..1},{0..1},{0..1}] Select size of each source operand.
Note: numeric values may be specified as either integer numbers or absolute expressions.
Examples:
op_sel_hi:[1,1,1]
VOP3P MFMA Modifiers¶
cbsz¶
Syntax Description cbsz:[{0..7}] TBD
Note: numeric value may be specified as either an integer number or an absolute expression.
abid¶
Syntax Description abid:[{0..15}] TBD
Note: numeric value may be specified as either an integer number or an absolute expression.
blgp¶
Syntax Description blgp:[{0..7}] TBD
Note: numeric value may be specified as either an integer number or an absolute expression.