.. _device-functions:

Writing Device Functions
========================

OpenCL and SYCL do not directly have a notion for device-only functions, *i.e.*
functions that can be only invoked from a kernel and not from a host function.
However, the special decorator ``numba_dpex.func`` is provided
specifically to implement device functions.

.. literalinclude:: ../../../numba_dpex/examples/dppy_func.py
   :pyobject: a_device_function

To use a device function from an another device function:

.. literalinclude:: ../../../numba_dpex/examples/dppy_func.py
   :pyobject: another_device_function

To use a device function from a kernel function ``numba_dpex.kernel``:

.. literalinclude:: ../../../numba_dpex/examples/dppy_func.py
   :pyobject: a_kernel_function

Unlike a kernel function, a device function can return a value like normal
functions.

.. todo::

   Specific capabilities and limitations for device functions need to be added.