AMOADD.W

RISC-V AMOADD.W Instruction Details

Instruction ManualR-type

Atomically add 32-bit word: rd = *rs1, *rs1 += rs2

Instruction Syntax

amoadd.w rd, rs2, (rs1)
Operand Breakdown
Destination rd: register receiving the operation result.
Source rs1: register holding the first operand.
Source rs2: register holding the second operand.
AZaamoAtomic

Instruction Behavior

AMOADD.W atomically loads the 32-bit value from the address in rs1 into rd (sign-extended), adds rs2 to it, and stores the result back. Supports aq/rl bits for memory ordering.

Common Usage Scenarios

Atomic & Sync

Understand this scenario with real code like «amoadd.w a0, a1, (a2) # a0 = *a2; *a2 += a1».

Basic Arithmetic

Understand this scenario with real code like «amoadd.w a0, a1, (a2) # a0 = *a2; *a2 += a1».

Vector Operations

Understand this scenario with real code like «amoadd.w a0, a1, (a2) # a0 = *a2; *a2 += a1».

Pre-Use Checklist

Syntax Check
  • Confirm the current instruction format is R-type.
  • Confirm the operand order matches the example.
Semantic Check
  • Ensure the destination register usage is compatible with the calling convention.
  • Confirm this is not the lower-level form of a pseudo-instruction expansion.

Pitfalls / Common Confusions

Overflow wraps around (mod 2^32)
Return value is the old value before add
AMO.W atomically accesses a 32-bit word; on RV64, the old value loaded into rd is sign-extended to XLEN.
AMO.W exists in RV32 and RV64 A/Zaamo environments; it is not RV64-only.