+bool is_type_integer(const type_t *type);
+
+/**
+ * return true if type contains signed numbers
+ */
+bool is_type_signed(const type_t *type);
+
+/**
+ * returns true if type contains floating point numbers
+ */
+bool is_type_floating(const type_t *type);
+
+/**
+ * returns true if the type is valid. A type is valid if it contains no
+ * unresolved references anymore and is not of TYPE_INVALID.
+ */
+bool type_valid(const type_t *type);
+
+/**
+ * returns true if the type is an arithmetic type (6.2.18)
+ */
+bool is_type_arithmetic(const type_t *type);
+
+/**
+ * returns true if the type is a scalar type (6.2.21)
+ */
+bool is_type_scalar(const type_t *type);
+
+bool pointers_compatible(const type_t *type1, const type_t *type2);
+
+type_t *skip_typeref(type_t *type);