Composite Expressions

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A composite expression is defined as a non-constant expression which is the direct result of a composite operator:

Composite Operators

Multiplicative	* / %
Additive	+ -
Bitwise	& ^ |
Shift	<< >>
Conditional	?:

(The conditional operator is only considered composite if either the 2nd or the 3rd operand is a composite expression.)

Principles

MISRA-C principles require that:

• The value of a composite expression shall not be assigned to an object of wider essential type.
• If a composite expression is used as one operand of an operator for which the usual arithmetic conversions (type balancing) are performed, then the other operand shall not be of wider essential type.
• The value of a composite expression shall not be cast to a different essential type category.
• The value of a composite expression shall not be cast to a wider essential type.

These restrictions are designed to force a sequence of arithmetic operations to be conducted in the same essential type.

The term composite expression supersedes the term complex expression which was defined in the MISRA-C:2004 document.

Index