org.vmmagic

Annotation Type Intrinsic

@Retention(value=RUNTIME)
 @Target(value={TYPE,METHOD})
 @Inherited
public @interface Intrinsic

An intrinsic method is a method that is built in (that is, intrinsic) to the compiler rather than part of a class library. Intrinsic methods are an escape hatch to provide "magic" that is inexpressible int the Java programming language. A compiler intrinsic will usually generate a specific code sequence that is inlined and optimized as part by the compiler. Unless an intrinsic method is expected to be executed in a non-intrinsic aware compiler, the body of the method should be empty.

If the Intrinsic annotation is applied to a method then then the method is a compiler intrinsic. If the Intrinsic annotation is applied to a class then all the methods of the class AND all subclasses are intrinsic.

NOTE: At the current time the Intrinsic annotation is only used for documentation purposes but in the near future it is expected that the semantics of the annotation will be enforced by the compiler.