C attribute: deprecated (since C23)

Indicates that the name or entity declared with this attribute is deprecated, that is, the use is allowed, but discouraged for some reason.

Syntax

Explanation

Indicates that the use of the name or entity declared with this attribute is allowed, but discouraged for some reason. Compilers typically issue warnings on such uses. The string-literal, if specified, is usually included in the warnings.

This attribute is allowed in declarations of the following names or entities:

• struct/union: struct [[deprecated]] S;,
• typedef-name: [[deprecated]] typedef S* PS;,
• objects: [[deprecated]] int x;,
• struct/union member: union U { [[deprecated]] int n; };,
• function: [[deprecated]] void f(void);,
• enumeration: enum [[deprecated]] E {};,
• enumerator: enum { A [[deprecated]], B [[deprecated]] = 42 };.

A name declared non-deprecated may be redeclared deprecated. A name declared deprecated cannot be un-deprecated by redeclaring it without this attribute.

Example

#include <stdio.h>
 
[[deprecated]]
void TriassicPeriod(void)
{
    puts("Triassic Period: [251.9 - 208.5] million years ago.");
}
 
[[deprecated("Use NeogenePeriod() instead.")]]
void JurassicPeriod(void)
{
    puts("Jurassic Period: [201.3 - 152.1] million years ago.");
}
 
[[deprecated("Use calcSomethingDifferently(int).")]]    
int calcSomething(int x)
{
    return x * 2;
}
 
int main(void)
{
    TriassicPeriod();
    JurassicPeriod();
}

Triassic Period: [251.9 - 208.5] million years ago.
Jurassic Period: [201.3 - 152.1] million years ago.
 
prog.c:23:5: warning: 'TriassicPeriod' is deprecated [-Wdeprecated-declarations]
    TriassicPeriod();
    ^
prog.c:3:3: note: 'TriassicPeriod' has been explicitly marked deprecated here
[[deprecated]]
  ^
prog.c:24:5: warning: 'JurassicPeriod' is deprecated: Use NeogenePeriod() instead. [-Wdeprecated-declarations]
    JurassicPeriod();
    ^
prog.c:9:3: note: 'JurassicPeriod' has been explicitly marked deprecated here
[[deprecated("Use NeogenePeriod() instead.")]]
  ^
2 warnings generated.

See also