+/* bit macros
+ */
+#define BITS_PER_BYTE 8
+#define BITS_IN(x) (BITS_PER_BYTE * sizeof(x))
+
+/* -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Assertions and Debuggery
+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+#ifndef DEBUG
+#define ASSERT(predicate) /* nothing */
+#else
+
+void _stgAssert (char *, unsigned int);
+
+#define ASSERT(predicate) \
+ if (predicate) \
+ /*null*/; \
+ else \
+ _stgAssert(__FILE__, __LINE__)
+#endif /* DEBUG */
+
+/*
+ * Use this on the RHS of macros which expand to nothing
+ * to make sure that the macro can be used in a context which
+ * demands a non-empty statement.
+ */
+
+#define doNothing() do { } while (0)
+
+/* -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Global type definitions
+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+