DecoratedName

DecoratedName is a concept used in programming, particularly in languages like C++ and Rust, to represent function and variable names in a way that includes information about their types, namespaces, and other relevant metadata. This mangling process is essential for the compiler to distinguish between different entities that might otherwise have the same base name but differ in their signatures or scopes. The specific format of a decorated name is compiler-dependent and can vary significantly between different compilers and language versions.

The primary purpose of name decoration is to enable function overloading and template instantiation. In C++, for example, you can have multiple functions with the same name but different parameter lists. The compiler decorates these function names to create unique internal representations, allowing it to select the correct function to call at runtime. Similarly, templates generate code for different types, and name decoration ensures that each instantiation has a distinct symbol.

In some contexts, understanding decorated names can be helpful for debugging or reverse engineering. Tools like disassemblers often display these decorated names, and knowing how to demangle them (convert them back to a more human-readable format) can aid in code analysis. While the internal representation is for the compiler's use, the concept highlights the complexity of symbol management in modern programming languages and the mechanisms employed to maintain program integrity and functionality.