#### 9.23.1 Directives

A number of assembler directives are available for MicroBlaze.

`.data8` expression`,...`
  This directive is an alias for `.byte`. Each expression is assembled into an eight-bit value.
`.data16` expression`,...`
  This directive is an alias for `.hword`. Each expression is assembled into an 16-bit value.
`.data32` expression`,...`
  This directive is an alias for `.word`. Each expression is assembled into an 32-bit value.
`.ent` name`[,`label`]`
  This directive is an alias for `.func` denoting the start of function name at (optional) label.
`.end` name`[,`label`]`
  This directive is an alias for `.endfunc` denoting the end of function name.
`.gpword` label`,...`
  This directive is an alias for `.rva`. The resolved address of label is stored in the data section.
`.weakext` label
  Declare that label is a weak external symbol.
`.rodata`
  Switch to .rodata section. Equivalent to `.section .rodata`
`.sdata2`
  Switch to .sdata2 section. Equivalent to `.section .sdata2`
`.sdata`
  Switch to .sdata section. Equivalent to `.section .sdata`
`.bss`
  Switch to .bss section. Equivalent to `.section .bss`
`.sbss`
  Switch to .sbss section. Equivalent to `.section .sbss`