Changeset 7493339 for doc/rob_thesis/tuples.tex
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- Apr 3, 2017, 7:04:30 PM (8 years ago)
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doc/rob_thesis/tuples.tex
rae6cc8b r7493339 4 4 5 5 \section{Introduction} 6 % TODO: named return values are not currently implemented in CFA - tie in with named tuples? (future work) 7 % TODO: no passing input parameters by assignment, instead will have reference types => this is not a very C-like model and greatly complicates syntax for likely little gain (and would cause confusion with already supported return-by-rerefence) 8 % TODO: tuples are allowed in expressions, exact meaning is defined by operator overloading (e.g. can add tuples). An important caveat to note is that it is currently impossible to allow adding two triples but prevent adding a pair with a quadruple (single flattening/structuring conversions are implicit, only total number of components matters). May be able to solve this with more nuanced conversion rules (future work) 6 % TODO: no passing input parameters by assignment, instead will have reference types => this is not a very C-like model and greatly complicates syntax for likely little gain (and would cause confusion with already supported return-by-reference) 9 7 % TODO: benefits (conclusion) by Till: reduced number of variables and statements; no specified order of execution for multiple assignment (more optimzation freedom); can store parameter lists in variable; MRV routines (natural code); more convenient assignment statements; simple and efficient access of record fields; named return values more legible and efficient in use of storage 10 8 … … 73 71 const char * str = "hello world"; 74 72 char ch; // pre-allocate return value 75 int freq = most_frequent(str, &ch); // pass return value as parameter73 int freq = most_frequent(str, &ch); // pass return value as out parameter 76 74 printf("%s -- %d %c\n", str, freq, ch); 77 75 \end{cfacode} 78 Notably, using this approach, the caller is directly responsible for allocating storage for the additional temporary return values. 79 This complicates the call site with a sequence of variable declarations leading up to the call. 76 Notably, using this approach, the caller is directly responsible for allocating storage for the additional temporary return values, which complicates the call site with a sequence of variable declarations leading up to the call. 80 77 Also, while a disciplined use of @const@ can give clues about whether a pointer parameter is going to be used as an out parameter, it is not immediately obvious from only the routine signature whether the callee expects such a parameter to be initialized before the call. 81 78 Furthermore, while many C routines that accept pointers are designed so that it is safe to pass @NULL@ as a parameter, there are many C routines that are not null-safe. … … 109 106 } 110 107 \end{cfacode} 111 This approach provides the benefits of compile-time checking for appropriate return statements as in aggregation, but without the required verbosity of declaring a new named type .108 This approach provides the benefits of compile-time checking for appropriate return statements as in aggregation, but without the required verbosity of declaring a new named type, which precludes the bug seen with out parameters. 112 109 113 110 The addition of multiple-return-value functions necessitates a syntax for accepting multiple values at the call-site. … … 136 133 In this case, there is only one option for a function named @most_frequent@ that takes a string as input. 137 134 This function returns two values, one @int@ and one @char@. 138 There are four options for a function named @process@, but only two whichaccept two arguments, and of those the best match is (3), which is also an exact match.135 There are four options for a function named @process@, but only two that accept two arguments, and of those the best match is (3), which is also an exact match. 139 136 This expression first calls @most_frequent("hello world")@, which produces the values @3@ and @'l'@, which are fed directly to the first and second parameters of (3), respectively. 140 137 … … 148 145 The previous expression has 3 \emph{components}. 149 146 Each component in a tuple expression can be any \CFA expression, including another tuple expression. 150 % TODO: Tuple expressions can appear anywhere that any other expression can appear (...?)151 147 The order of evaluation of the components in a tuple expression is unspecified, to allow a compiler the greatest flexibility for program optimization. 152 148 It is, however, guaranteed that each component of a tuple expression is evaluated for side-effects, even if the result is not used. 153 149 Multiple-return-value functions can equivalently be called \emph{tuple-returning functions}. 154 % TODO: does this statement still apply, and if so to what extent?155 % Tuples are a compile-time phenomenon and have little to no run-time presence.156 150 157 151 \subsection{Tuple Variables} … … 166 160 These variables can be used in any of the contexts where a tuple expression is allowed, such as in the @printf@ function call. 167 161 As in the @process@ example, the components of the tuple value are passed as separate parameters to @printf@, allowing very simple printing of tuple expressions. 168 If the individual components are required, they can be extractedwith a simple assignment, as in previous examples.162 One way to access the individual components is with a simple assignment, as in previous examples. 169 163 \begin{cfacode} 170 164 int freq; … … 254 248 \label{s:TupleAssignment} 255 249 An assignment where the left side of the assignment operator has a tuple type is called tuple assignment. 256 There are two kinds of tuple assignment depending on whether the right side of the assignment operator has a tuple type or a non-tuple type, called Multiple and MassAssignment, respectively.250 There are two kinds of tuple assignment depending on whether the right side of the assignment operator has a tuple type or a non-tuple type, called \emph{Multiple} and \emph{Mass} Assignment, respectively. 257 251 \begin{cfacode} 258 252 int x; … … 272 266 A mass assignment assigns the value $R$ to each $L_i$. 273 267 For a mass assignment to be valid, @?=?(&$L_i$, $R$)@ must be a well-typed expression. 274 Th is differsfrom C cascading assignment (e.g. @a=b=c@) in that conversions are applied to $R$ in each individual assignment, which prevents data loss from the chain of conversions that can happen during a cascading assignment.268 These semantics differ from C cascading assignment (e.g. @a=b=c@) in that conversions are applied to $R$ in each individual assignment, which prevents data loss from the chain of conversions that can happen during a cascading assignment. 275 269 For example, @[y, x] = 3.14@ performs the assignments @y = 3.14@ and @x = 3.14@, which results in the value @3.14@ in @y@ and the value @3@ in @x@. 276 270 On the other hand, the C cascading assignment @y = x = 3.14@ performs the assignments @x = 3.14@ and @y = x@, which results in the value @3@ in @x@, and as a result the value @3@ in @y@ as well. … … 288 282 These semantics allow cascading tuple assignment to work out naturally in any context where a tuple is permitted. 289 283 These semantics are a change from the original tuple design in \KWC \cite{Till89}, wherein tuple assignment was a statement that allows cascading assignments as a special case. 290 Th is decision wa made in an attempt to fix what was seen as a problem with assignment, wherein it can be used in many different locations, such as in function-call argument position.284 The \KWC semantics fix what was seen as a problem with assignment, wherein it can be used in many different locations, such as in function-call argument position. % TODO: remove?? 291 285 While permitting assignment as an expression does introduce the potential for subtle complexities, it is impossible to remove assignment expressions from \CFA without affecting backwards compatibility. 292 286 Furthermore, there are situations where permitting assignment as an expression improves readability by keeping code succinct and reducing repetition, and complicating the definition of tuple assignment puts a greater cognitive burden on the user. … … 315 309 void ?{}(S *, S); // (4) 316 310 317 [S, S] x = [3, 6.28]; // uses (2), (3) 318 [S, S] y; // uses (1), (1) 319 [S, S] z = x.0; // uses (4), (4) 311 [S, S] x = [3, 6.28]; // uses (2), (3), specialized constructors 312 [S, S] y; // uses (1), (1), default constructor 313 [S, S] z = x.0; // uses (4), (4), copy constructor 320 314 \end{cfacode} 321 315 In this example, @x@ is initialized by the multiple constructor calls @?{}(&x.0, 3)@ and @?{}(&x.1, 6.28)@, while @y@ is initilaized by two default constructor calls @?{}(&y.0)@ and @?{}(&y.1)@. … … 339 333 S s = t; 340 334 \end{cfacode} 341 The initialization of @s@ with @t@ works by default ,because @t@ is flattened into its components, which satisfies the generated field constructor @?{}(S *, int, double)@ to initialize the first two values.335 The initialization of @s@ with @t@ works by default because @t@ is flattened into its components, which satisfies the generated field constructor @?{}(S *, int, double)@ to initialize the first two values. 342 336 343 337 \section{Member-Access Tuple Expression} … … 354 348 Then the type of @a.[x, y, z]@ is @[T_x, T_y, T_z]@. 355 349 356 Since tuple index expressions are a form of member-access expression, it is possible to use tuple-index expressions in conjunction with member tuple expressions to manually restructure a tuple (e.g. rearrange components, drop components, duplicate components, etc.).350 Since tuple index expressions are a form of member-access expression, it is possible to use tuple-index expressions in conjunction with member tuple expressions to manually restructure a tuple (e.g., rearrange components, drop components, duplicate components, etc.). 357 351 \begin{cfacode} 358 352 [int, int, long, double] x; … … 384 378 Since \CFA permits these tuple-access expressions using structures, unions, and tuples, \emph{member tuple expression} or \emph{field tuple expression} is more appropriate. 385 379 386 It could bepossible to extend member-access expressions further.380 It is possible to extend member-access expressions further. 387 381 Currently, a member-access expression whose member is a name requires that the aggregate is a structure or union, while a constant integer member requires the aggregate to be a tuple. 388 382 In the interest of orthogonal design, \CFA could apply some meaning to the remaining combinations as well. … … 403 397 One benefit of this interpretation is familiar, since it is extremely reminiscent of tuple-index expressions. 404 398 On the other hand, it could be argued that this interpretation is brittle in that changing the order of members or adding new members to a structure becomes a brittle operation. 405 This problem is less of a concern with tuples, since modifying a tuple affects only the code which directly uses that tuple, whereas modifying a structure has far reaching consequences withevery instance of the structure.406 407 As for @z.y@, a natural interpretation would beto extend the meaning of member tuple expressions.399 This problem is less of a concern with tuples, since modifying a tuple affects only the code that directly uses the tuple, whereas modifying a structure has far reaching consequences for every instance of the structure. 400 401 As for @z.y@, a one interpretation is to extend the meaning of member tuple expressions. 408 402 That is, currently the tuple must occur as the member, i.e. to the right of the dot. 409 403 Allowing tuples to the left of the dot could distribute the member across the elements of the tuple, in much the same way that member tuple expressions distribute the aggregate across the member tuple. 410 404 In this example, @z.y@ expands to @[z.0.y, z.1.y]@, allowing what is effectively a very limited compile-time field-sections map operation, where the argument must be a tuple containing only aggregates having a member named @y@. 411 It is questionable how useful this would actually be in practice, since generally structures are not designed to have names in common with other structures, and further this could cause maintainability issues in that it encourages programmers to adopt very simple naming conventions,to maximize the amount of overlap between different types.405 It is questionable how useful this would actually be in practice, since structures often do not have names in common with other structures, and further this could cause maintainability issues in that it encourages programmers to adopt very simple naming conventions to maximize the amount of overlap between different types. 412 406 Perhaps more useful would be to allow arrays on the left side of the dot, which would likewise allow mapping a field access across the entire array, producing an array of the contained fields. 413 407 The immediate problem with this idea is that C arrays do not carry around their size, which would make it impossible to use this extension for anything other than a simple stack allocated array. 414 408 415 Supposing this feature works as described, it would be necessary to specify an ordering for the expansion of member access expressions versus membertuple expressions.409 Supposing this feature works as described, it would be necessary to specify an ordering for the expansion of member-access expressions versus member-tuple expressions. 416 410 \begin{cfacode} 417 411 struct { int x, y; }; … … 426 420 \end{cfacode} 427 421 Depending on exactly how the two tuples are combined, different results can be achieved. 428 As such, a specific ordering would need to be imposed in order for this feature to be useful. 429 Furthermore, this addition moves a member tuple expression's meaning from being clear statically to needing resolver support, since the member name needs to be distributed appropriately over each member of the tuple, which could itself be a tuple. 430 431 Ultimately, both of these extensions introduce complexity into the model, with relatively little peceived benefit. 422 As such, a specific ordering would need to be imposed to make this feature useful. 423 Furthermore, this addition moves a member-tuple expression's meaning from being clear statically to needing resolver support, since the member name needs to be distributed appropriately over each member of the tuple, which could itself be a tuple. 424 425 A second possibility is for \CFA to have named tuples, as they exist in Swift and D. 426 \begin{cfacode} 427 typedef [int x, int y] Point2D; 428 Point2D p1, p2; 429 p1.x + p1.y + p2.x + p2.y; 430 p1.0 + p1.1 + p2.0 + p2.1; // equivalent 431 \end{cfacode} 432 In this simpler interpretation, a named tuple type carries with it a list of possibly empty identifiers. 433 This approach fits naturally with the named return-value feature, and would likely go a long way towards implementing it. 434 435 Ultimately, the first two extensions introduce complexity into the model, with relatively little peceived benefit, and so were dropped from consideration. 436 Named tuples are a potentially useful addition to the language, provided they can be parsed with a reasonable syntax. 437 432 438 433 439 \section{Casting} … … 442 448 (int)f(); // choose (2) 443 449 \end{cfacode} 444 Since casting is a fundamental operation in \CFA, casts shouldbe given a meaningful interpretation in the context of tuples.450 Since casting is a fundamental operation in \CFA, casts need to be given a meaningful interpretation in the context of tuples. 445 451 Taking a look at standard C provides some guidance with respect to the way casts should work with tuples. 446 452 \begin{cfacode}[numbers=left] … … 448 454 void g(); 449 455 450 (void)f(); 451 (int)g(); 456 (void)f(); // valid, ignore results 457 (int)g(); // invalid, void cannot be converted to int 452 458 453 459 struct A { int x; }; 454 (struct A)f(); 460 (struct A)f(); // invalid 455 461 \end{cfacode} 456 462 In C, line 4 is a valid cast, which calls @f@ and discards its result. 457 463 On the other hand, line 5 is invalid, because @g@ does not produce a result, so requesting an @int@ to materialize from nothing is nonsensical. 458 Finally, line 8 is also invalid, because in C casts only provide conversion between scalar types \cite {C11}.459 For consistency, this implies that any case wherein the number of components increases as a result of the cast is invalid, while casts whichhave the same or fewer number of components may be valid.464 Finally, line 8 is also invalid, because in C casts only provide conversion between scalar types \cite[p.~91]{C11}. 465 For consistency, this implies that any case wherein the number of components increases as a result of the cast is invalid, while casts that have the same or fewer number of components may be valid. 460 466 461 467 Formally, a cast to tuple type is valid when $T_n \leq S_m$, where $T_n$ is the number of components in the target type and $S_m$ is the number of components in the source type, and for each $i$ in $[0, n)$, $S_i$ can be cast to $T_i$. … … 509 515 \end{cfacode} 510 516 Note that due to the implicit tuple conversions, this function is not restricted to the addition of two triples. 511 A call to this plus operator type checks as long as a total of 6 non-tuple arguments are passed after flattening, and all of the arguments have a common type which can bind to @T@, with a pairwise @?+?@ over @T@.512 For example, these expressions will also succeed and produce the same value.513 \begin{cfacode} 514 ([x.0, x.1]) + ([x.2, 10, 20, 30]); 515 x.0 + ([x.1, x.2, 10, 20, 30]); 517 For example, these expressions also succeed and produce the same value. 518 A call to this plus operator type checks as long as a total of 6 non-tuple arguments are passed after flattening, and all of the arguments have a common type that can bind to @T@, with a pairwise @?+?@ over @T@. 519 \begin{cfacode} 520 ([x.0, x.1]) + ([x.2, 10, 20, 30]); // x + ([10, 20, 30]) 521 x.0 + ([x.1, x.2, 10, 20, 30]); // x + ([10, 20, 30]) 516 522 \end{cfacode} 517 523 This presents a potential problem if structure is important, as these three expressions look like they should have different meanings. 518 Further , these calls can be made ambiguous by adding seemingly different functions.524 Furthermore, these calls can be made ambiguous by adding seemingly different functions. 519 525 \begin{cfacode} 520 526 forall(otype T | { T ?+?(T, T); }) … … 524 530 \end{cfacode} 525 531 It is also important to note that these calls could be disambiguated if the function return types were different, as they likely would be for a reasonable implementation of @?+?@, since the return type is used in overload resolution. 526 Still, th is isa deficiency of the current argument matching algorithm, and depending on the function, differing return values may not always be appropriate.527 It's possible that this could be rectified by applying an appropriate cost to the structuring and flattening conversions, which are currently 0-cost conversions.532 Still, these semantics are a deficiency of the current argument matching algorithm, and depending on the function, differing return values may not always be appropriate. 533 These issues could be rectified by applying an appropriate cost to the structuring and flattening conversions, which are currently 0-cost conversions. 528 534 Care would be needed in this case to ensure that exact matches do not incur such a cost. 529 535 \begin{cfacode} … … 536 542 \end{cfacode} 537 543 538 Until this point, it has been assumed that assertion arguments must match the parameter type exactly, modulo polymorphic specialization (i.e. no implicit conversions are applied to assertion arguments).544 Until this point, it has been assumed that assertion arguments must match the parameter type exactly, modulo polymorphic specialization (i.e., no implicit conversions are applied to assertion arguments). 539 545 This decision presents a conflict with the flexibility of tuples. 540 546 \subsection{Assertion Inference} … … 617 623 In the call to @f@, the second and third argument components are structured into a tuple argument. 618 624 619 Expressions whichmay contain side effects are made into \emph{unique expressions} before being expanded by the flattening conversion.625 Expressions that may contain side effects are made into \emph{unique expressions} before being expanded by the flattening conversion. 620 626 Each unique expression is assigned an identifier and is guaranteed to be executed exactly once. 621 627 \begin{cfacode} … … 624 630 g(h()); 625 631 \end{cfacode} 626 Interally, this is converted to 632 Interally, this is converted to psuedo-\CFA 627 633 \begin{cfacode} 628 634 void g(int, double); 629 635 [int, double] h(); 630 let unq<0> = f() : g(unq<0>.0, unq<0>.1); // notation? 631 \end{cfacode} 636 lazy [int, double] unq<0> = h(); 637 g(unq<0>.0, unq<0>.1); 638 \end{cfacode} 639 That is, the function @h@ is evaluated lazily and its result is stored for subsequent accesses. 632 640 Ultimately, unique expressions are converted into two variables and an expression. 633 641 \begin{cfacode} … … 638 646 [int, double] _unq0; 639 647 g( 640 (_unq0_finished_ ? _unq0 : (_unq0 = f(), _unq0_finished_ = 1, _unq0)).0,641 (_unq0_finished_ ? _unq0 : (_unq0 = f(), _unq0_finished_ = 1, _unq0)).1,648 (_unq0_finished_ ? _unq0 : (_unq0 = h(), _unq0_finished_ = 1, _unq0)).0, 649 (_unq0_finished_ ? _unq0 : (_unq0 = h(), _unq0_finished_ = 1, _unq0)).1, 642 650 ); 643 651 \end{cfacode} … … 646 654 Every subsequent evaluation of the unique expression then results in an access to the stored result of the actual expression. 647 655 648 Currently, the \CFA translator has a very broad, imprecise definition of impurity , where any function call is assumed to be impure.649 This notion could be made more precise for certain intrinsic, autogenerated, and builtin functions, and could analyze function bodies when they are availableto recursively detect impurity, to eliminate some unique expressions.650 It 's possible that unique expressions could be exposed to the user through a language feature, but it's not immediately obvious that there is a benefit to doing so.656 Currently, the \CFA translator has a very broad, imprecise definition of impurity (side-effects), where any function call is assumed to be impure. 657 This notion could be made more precise for certain intrinsic, autogenerated, and builtin functions, and could analyze function bodies, when they are available, to recursively detect impurity, to eliminate some unique expressions. 658 It is possible that lazy evaluation could be exposed to the user through a lazy keyword with little additional effort. 651 659 652 660 Tuple member expressions are recursively expanded into a list of member access expressions. … … 655 663 x.[0, 1.[0, 2]]; 656 664 \end{cfacode} 657 Which becomes665 which becomes 658 666 \begin{cfacode} 659 667 [x.0, [x.1.0, x.1.2]]; 660 668 \end{cfacode} 661 Tuple 669 Tuple-member expressions also take advantage of unique expressions in the case of possible impurity. 662 670 663 671 Finally, the various kinds of tuple assignment, constructors, and destructors generate GNU C statement expressions. … … 711 719 }); 712 720 \end{cfacode} 713 A variable is generated to store the value produced by a statement expression, since its fields may need to be constructed with a non-trivial constructor and it may need to be referred to multiple time, e.g. in a unique expression.721 A variable is generated to store the value produced by a statement expression, since its fields may need to be constructed with a non-trivial constructor and it may need to be referred to multiple time, e.g., in a unique expression. 714 722 $N$ LHS variables are generated and constructed using the address of the tuple components, and a single RHS variable is generated to store the value of the RHS without any loss of precision. 715 723 A nested statement expression is generated that performs the individual assignments and constructs the return value using the results of the individual assignments. … … 785 793 The use of statement expressions allows the translator to arbitrarily generate additional temporary variables as needed, but binds the implementation to a non-standard extension of the C language. 786 794 There are other places where the \CFA translator makes use of GNU C extensions, such as its use of nested functions, so this is not a new restriction. 787 788 \section{Variadic Functions}789 % TODO: should this maybe be its own chapter?790 C provides variadic functions through the manipulation of @va_list@ objects.791 A variadic function is one which contains at least one parameter, followed by @...@ as the last token in the parameter list.792 In particular, some form of \emph{argument descriptor} is needed to inform the function of the number of arguments and their types.793 Two common argument descriptors are format strings or and counter parameters.794 It's important to note that both of these mechanisms are inherently redundant, because they require the user to specify information that the compiler knows explicitly.795 This required repetition is error prone, because it's easy for the user to add or remove arguments without updating the argument descriptor.796 In addition, C requires the programmer to hard code all of the possible expected types.797 As a result, it is cumbersome to write a function that is open to extension.798 For example, a simple function which sums $N$ @int@s,799 \begin{cfacode}800 int sum(int N, ...) {801 va_list args;802 va_start(args, N);803 int ret = 0;804 while(N) {805 ret += va_arg(args, int); // have to specify type806 N--;807 }808 va_end(args);809 return ret;810 }811 sum(3, 10, 20, 30); // need to keep counter in sync812 \end{cfacode}813 The @va_list@ type is a special C data type that abstracts variadic argument manipulation.814 The @va_start@ macro initializes a @va_list@, given the last named parameter.815 Each use of the @va_arg@ macro allows access to the next variadic argument, given a type.816 Since the function signature does not provide any information on what types can be passed to a variadic function, the compiler does not perform any error checks on a variadic call.817 As such, it is possible to pass any value to the @sum@ function, including pointers, floating-point numbers, and structures.818 In the case where the provided type is not compatible with the argument's actual type after default argument promotions, or if too many arguments are accessed, the behaviour is undefined \cite{C11}.819 Furthermore, there is no way to perform the necessary error checks in the @sum@ function at run-time, since type information is not carried into the function body.820 Since they rely on programmer convention rather than compile-time checks, variadic functions are generally unsafe.821 822 In practice, compilers can provide warnings to help mitigate some of the problems.823 For example, GCC provides the @format@ attribute to specify that a function uses a format string, which allows the compiler to perform some checks related to the standard format specifiers.824 Unfortunately, this does not permit extensions to the format string syntax, so a programmer cannot extend the attribute to warn for mismatches with custom types.825 826 Needless to say, C's variadic functions are a deficient language feature.827 Two options were examined to provide better, type-safe variadic functions in \CFA.828 \subsection{Whole Tuple Matching}829 Option 1 is to change the argument matching algorithm, so that type parameters can match whole tuples, rather than just their components.830 This option could be implemented with two phases of argument matching when a function contains type parameters and the argument list contains tuple arguments.831 If flattening and structuring fail to produce a match, a second attempt at matching the function and argument combination is made where tuple arguments are not expanded and structure must match exactly, modulo non-tuple implicit conversions.832 For example:833 \begin{cfacode}834 forall(otype T, otype U | { T g(U); })835 void f(T, U);836 837 [int, int] g([int, int, int, int]);838 839 f([1, 2], [3, 4, 5, 6]);840 \end{cfacode}841 With flattening and structuring, the call is first transformed into @f(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)@.842 Since the first argument of type @T@ does not have a tuple type, unification decides that @T=int@ and @1@ is matched as the first parameter.843 Likewise, @U@ does not have a tuple type, so @U=int@ and @2@ is accepted as the second parameter.844 There are now no remaining formal parameters, but there are remaining arguments and the function is not variadic, so the match fails.845 846 With the addition of an exact matching attempt, @T=[int,int]@ and @U=[int,int,int,int]@ and so the arguments type check.847 Likewise, when inferring assertion @g@, an exact match is found.848 849 This approach is strict with respect to argument structure by nature, which makes it syntactically awkward to use in ways that the existing tuple design is not.850 For example, consider a @new@ function which allocates memory using @malloc@ and constructs the result, using arbitrary arguments.851 \begin{cfacode}852 struct Array;853 void ?{}(Array *, int, int, int);854 855 forall(dtype T, otype Params | sized(T) | { void ?{}(T *, Params); })856 T * new(Params p) {857 return malloc(){ p };858 }859 Array(int) * x = new([1, 2, 3]);860 \end{cfacode}861 The call to @new@ is not particularly appealing, since it requires the use of square brackets at the call-site, which is not required in any other function call.862 This shifts the burden from the compiler to the programmer, which is almost always wrong, and creates an odd inconsistency within the language.863 Similarly, in order to pass 0 variadic arguments, an explicit empty tuple must be passed into the argument list, otherwise the exact matching rule would not have an argument to bind against.864 865 It should be otherwise noted that the addition of an exact matching rule only affects the outcome for polymorphic type binding when tuples are involved.866 For non-tuple arguments, exact matching and flattening \& structuring are equivalent.867 For tuple arguments to a function without polymorphic formal parameters, flattening and structuring work whenever an exact match would have worked, since the tuple is flattened and implicitly restructured to its original structure.868 Thus there is nothing to be gained from permitting the exact matching rule to take effect when a function does not contain polymorphism and none of the arguments are tuples.869 870 Overall, this option takes a step in the right direction, but is contrary to the flexibility of the existing tuple design.871 872 \subsection{A New Typeclass}873 A second option is the addition of another kind of type parameter, @ttype@.874 Matching against a @ttype@ parameter consumes all remaining argument components and packages them into a tuple, binding to the resulting tuple of types.875 In a given parameter list, there should be at most one @ttype@ parameter that must occur last, otherwise the call can never resolve, given the previous rule.876 % TODO: a similar rule exists in C/C++ for "..."877 This idea essentially matches normal variadic semantics, with a strong feeling of similarity to \CCeleven variadic templates.878 As such, @ttype@ variables will also be referred to as argument packs.879 This is the option that has been added to \CFA.880 881 Like variadic templates, the main way to manipulate @ttype@ polymorphic functions is through recursion.882 Since nothing is known about a parameter pack by default, assertion parameters are key to doing anything meaningful.883 Unlike variadic templates, @ttype@ polymorphic functions can be separately compiled.884 885 For example, a simple translation of the C sum function using @ttype@ would look like886 \begin{cfacode}887 int sum(){ return 0; } // (0)888 forall(ttype Params | { int sum(Params); })889 int sum(int x, Params rest) { // (1)890 return x+sum(rest);891 }892 sum(10, 20, 30);893 \end{cfacode}894 Since (0) does not accept any arguments, it is not a valid candidate function for the call @sum(10, 20, 30)@.895 In order to call (1), @10@ is matched with @x@, and the argument resolution moves on to the argument pack @rest@, which consumes the remainder of the argument list and @Params@ is bound to @[20, 30]@.896 In order to finish the resolution of @sum@, an assertion parameter which matches @int sum(int, int)@ is required.897 Like in the previous iteration, (0) is not a valid candiate, so (1) is examined with @Params@ bound to @[int]@, requiring the assertion @int sum(int)@.898 Next, (0) fails, and to satisfy (1) @Params@ is bound to @[]@, requiring an assertion @int sum()@.899 Finally, (0) matches and (1) fails, which terminates the recursion.900 Effectively, this traces as @sum(10, 20, 30)@ $\rightarrow$ @10+sum(20, 30)@ $\rightarrow$ @10+(20+sum(30))@ $\rightarrow$ @10+(20+(30+sum()))@ $\rightarrow$ @10+(20+(30+0))@.901 902 A point of note is that this version does not require any form of argument descriptor, since the \CFA type system keeps track of all of these details.903 It might be reasonable to take the @sum@ function a step further to enforce a minimum number of arguments, which could be done simply904 \begin{cfacode}905 int sum(int x, int y){906 return x+y;907 }908 forall(ttype Params | { int sum(int, Params); })909 int sum(int x, int y, Params rest) {910 return sum(x+y, rest);911 }912 sum(10, 20, 30);913 \end{cfacode}914 915 One more iteration permits the summation of any summable type, as long as all arguments are the same type.916 \begin{cfacode}917 trait summable(otype T) {918 T ?+?(T, T);919 };920 forall(otype R | summable(R))921 R sum(R x, R y){922 return x+y;923 }924 forall(otype R, ttype Params925 | summable(R)926 | { R sum(R, Params); })927 R sum(R x, R y, Params rest) {928 return sum(x+y, rest);929 }930 sum(3, 10, 20, 30);931 \end{cfacode}932 Unlike C, it is not necessary to hard code the expected type.933 This is naturally open to extension, in that any user-defined type with a @?+?@ operator is automatically able to be used with the @sum@ function.934 That is to say, the programmer who writes @sum@ does not need full program knowledge of every possible data type, unlike what is necessary to write an equivalent function using the standard C mechanisms.935 936 Going one last step, it is possible to achieve full generality in \CFA, allowing the summation of arbitrary lists of summable types.937 \begin{cfacode}938 trait summable(otype T1, otype T2, otype R) {939 R ?+?(T1, T2);940 };941 forall(otype T1, otype T2, otype R | summable(T1, T2, R))942 R sum(T1 x, T2 y) {943 return x+y;944 }945 forall(otype T1, otype T2, otype T3, ttype Params, otype R946 | summable(T1, T2, T3)947 | { R sum(T3, Params); })948 R sum(T1 x, T2 y, Params rest ) {949 return sum(x+y, rest);950 }951 sum(3, 10.5, 20, 30.3);952 \end{cfacode}953 The \CFA translator requires adding explicit @double ?+?(int, double)@ and @double ?+?(double, int)@ functions for this call to work, since implicit conversions are not supported for assertions.954 955 C variadic syntax and @ttype@ polymorphism probably should not be mixed, since it is not clear where to draw the line to decide which arguments belong where.956 Furthermore, it might be desirable to disallow polymorphic functions to use C variadic syntax to encourage a Cforall style.957 Aside from calling C variadic functions, it is not obvious that there is anything that can be done with C variadics that could not also be done with @ttype@ parameters.958 959 Variadic templates in \CC require an ellipsis token to express that a parameter is a parameter pack and to expand a parameter pack.960 \CFA does not need an ellipsis in either case, since the type class @ttype@ is only used for variadics.961 An alternative design could have used an ellipsis combined with an existing type class.962 This approach was not taken because the largest benefit of the ellipsis token in \CC is the ability to expand a parameter pack within an expression, e.g. in fold expressions, which requires compile-time knowledge of the structure of the parameter pack, which is not available in \CFA.963 \begin{cppcode}964 template<typename... Args>965 void f(Args &... args) {966 g(&args...); // expand to addresses of pack elements967 }968 \end{cppcode}969 As such, the addition of an ellipsis token would be purely an aesthetic change in \CFA today.970 971 It is possible to write a type-safe variadic print routine, which can replace @printf@972 \begin{cfacode}973 struct S { int x, y; };974 forall(otype T, ttype Params |975 { void print(T); void print(Params); })976 void print(T arg, Params rest) {977 print(arg);978 print(rest);979 }980 void print(char * x) { printf("%s", x); }981 void print(int x) { printf("%d", x); }982 void print(S s) { print("{ ", s.x, ",", s.y, " }"); }983 print("s = ", (S){ 1, 2 }, "\n");984 \end{cfacode}985 This example routine showcases a variadic-template-like decomposition of the provided argument list.986 The individual @print@ routines allow printing a single element of a type.987 The polymorphic @print@ allows printing any list of types, as long as each individual type has a @print@ function.988 The individual print functions can be used to build up more complicated @print@ routines, such as for @S@, which is something that cannot be done with @printf@ in C.989 990 It is also possible to use @ttype@ polymorphism to provide arbitrary argument forwarding functions.991 For example, it is possible to write @new@ as a library function.992 Example 2: new (i.e. type-safe malloc + constructors)993 \begin{cfacode}994 struct Array;995 void ?{}(Array *, int, int, int);996 997 forall(dtype T, ttype Params | sized(T) | { void ?{}(T *, Params); })998 T * new(Params p) {999 return malloc(){ p }; // construct result of malloc1000 }1001 Array * x = new(1, 2, 3);1002 \end{cfacode}1003 The @new@ function provides the combination of type-safe @malloc@ with a constructor call, so that it becomes impossible to forget to construct dynamically allocated objects.1004 This provides the type-safety of @new@ in \CC, without the need to specify the allocated type, thanks to return-type inference.1005 1006 In the call to @new@, @Array@ is selected to match @T@, and @Params@ is expanded to match @[int, int, int, int]@. To satisfy the assertions, a constructor with an interface compatible with @void ?{}(Array *, int, int, int)@ must exist in the current scope.1007 1008 \subsection{Implementation}1009 1010 The definition of @new@1011 \begin{cfacode}1012 forall(dtype T | sized(T)) T * malloc();1013 1014 forall(dtype T, ttype Params | sized(T) | { void ?{}(T *, Params); })1015 T * new(Params p) {1016 return malloc(){ p }; // construct result of malloc1017 }1018 \end{cfacode}1019 Generates the following1020 \begin{cfacode}1021 void *malloc(long unsigned int _sizeof_T, long unsigned int _alignof_T);1022 1023 void *new(1024 void (*_adapter_)(void (*)(), void *, void *),1025 long unsigned int _sizeof_T,1026 long unsigned int _alignof_T,1027 long unsigned int _sizeof_Params,1028 long unsigned int _alignof_Params,1029 void (* _ctor_T)(void *, void *),1030 void *p1031 ){1032 void *_retval_new;1033 void *_tmp_cp_ret0;1034 void *_tmp_ctor_expr0;1035 _retval_new=1036 (_adapter_(_ctor_T,1037 (_tmp_ctor_expr0=(_tmp_cp_ret0=malloc(_sizeof_2tT, _alignof_2tT),1038 _tmp_cp_ret0)),1039 p),1040 _tmp_ctor_expr0); // ?{}1041 *(void **)&_tmp_cp_ret0; // ^?{}1042 return _retval_new;1043 }1044 \end{cfacode}1045 The constructor for @T@ is called indirectly through the adapter function on the result of @malloc@ and the parameter pack.1046 The variable that was allocated and constructed is then returned from @new@.1047 1048 A call to @new@1049 \begin{cfacode}1050 struct S { int x, y; };1051 void ?{}(S *, int, int);1052 1053 S * s = new(3, 4);1054 \end{cfacode}1055 Generates the following1056 \begin{cfacode}1057 struct _tuple2_ { // _tuple2_(T0, T1)1058 void *field_0;1059 void *field_1;1060 };1061 struct _conc__tuple2_0 { // _tuple2_(int, int)1062 int field_0;1063 int field_1;1064 };1065 struct _conc__tuple2_0 _tmp_cp1; // tuple argument to new1066 struct S *_tmp_cp_ret1; // return value from new1067 void _thunk0( // ?{}(S *, [int, int])1068 struct S *_p0,1069 struct _conc__tuple2_0 _p11070 ){1071 _ctor_S(_p0, _p1.field_0, _p1.field_1); // restructure tuple parameter1072 }1073 void _adapter(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0, void *_p1){1074 // apply adaptee to arguments after casting to actual types1075 ((void (*)(struct S *, struct _conc__tuple2_0))_adaptee)(1076 _p0,1077 *(struct _conc__tuple2_0 *)_p11078 );1079 }1080 struct S *s = (struct S *)(_tmp_cp_ret1=1081 new(1082 _adapter,1083 sizeof(struct S),1084 __alignof__(struct S),1085 sizeof(struct _conc__tuple2_0),1086 __alignof__(struct _conc__tuple2_0),1087 (void (*)(void *, void *))&_thunk0,1088 (({ // copy construct tuple argument to new1089 int *__multassign_L0 = (int *)&_tmp_cp1.field_0;1090 int *__multassign_L1 = (int *)&_tmp_cp1.field_1;1091 int __multassign_R0 = 3;1092 int __multassign_R1 = 4;1093 ((*__multassign_L0=__multassign_R0 /* ?{} */) ,1094 (*__multassign_L1=__multassign_R1 /* ?{} */));1095 }), &_tmp_cp1)1096 ), _tmp_cp_ret1);1097 *(struct S **)&_tmp_cp_ret1; // ^?{} // destroy return value from new1098 ({ // destroy argument temporary1099 int *__massassign_L0 = (int *)&_tmp_cp1.field_0;1100 int *__massassign_L1 = (int *)&_tmp_cp1.field_1;1101 ((*__massassign_L0 /* ^?{} */) , (*__massassign_L1 /* ^?{} */));1102 });1103 \end{cfacode}1104 Of note, @_thunk0@ is generated to translate calls to @?{}(S *, [int, int])@ into calls to @?{}(S *, int, int)@.1105 The call to @new@ constructs a tuple argument using the supplied arguments.1106 1107 The @print@ function1108 \begin{cfacode}1109 forall(otype T, ttype Params |1110 { void print(T); void print(Params); })1111 void print(T arg, Params rest) {1112 print(arg);1113 print(rest);1114 }1115 \end{cfacode}1116 Generates1117 \begin{cfacode}1118 void print_variadic(1119 void (*_adapterF_7tParams__P)(void (*)(), void *),1120 void (*_adapterF_2tT__P)(void (*)(), void *),1121 void (*_adapterF_P2tT2tT__MP)(void (*)(), void *, void *),1122 void (*_adapterF2tT_P2tT2tT_P_MP)(void (*)(), void *, void *, void *),1123 long unsigned int _sizeof_T,1124 long unsigned int _alignof_T,1125 long unsigned int _sizeof_Params,1126 long unsigned int _alignof_Params,1127 void *(*_assign_TT)(void *, void *),1128 void (*_ctor_T)(void *),1129 void (*_ctor_TT)(void *, void *),1130 void (*_dtor_T)(void *),1131 void (*print_T)(void *),1132 void (*print_Params)(void *),1133 void *arg,1134 void *rest1135 ){1136 void *_tmp_cp0 = __builtin_alloca(_sizeof_T);1137 _adapterF_2tT__P( // print(arg)1138 ((void (*)())print_T),1139 (_adapterF_P2tT2tT__MP( // copy construct argument1140 ((void (*)())_ctor_TT),1141 _tmp_cp0,1142 arg1143 ), _tmp_cp0)1144 );1145 _dtor_T(_tmp_cp0); // destroy argument temporary1146 _adapterF_7tParams__P( // print(rest)1147 ((void (*)())print_Params),1148 rest1149 );1150 }1151 \end{cfacode}1152 The @print_T@ routine is called indirectly through an adapter function with a copy constructed argument, followed by an indirect call to @print_Params@.1153 1154 A call to print1155 \begin{cfacode}1156 void print(const char * x) { printf("%s", x); }1157 void print(int x) { printf("%d", x); }1158 1159 print("x = ", 123, ".\n");1160 \end{cfacode}1161 Generates the following1162 \begin{cfacode}1163 void print_string(const char *x){1164 int _tmp_cp_ret0;1165 (_tmp_cp_ret0=printf("%s", x)) , _tmp_cp_ret0;1166 *(int *)&_tmp_cp_ret0; // ^?{}1167 }1168 void print_int(int x){1169 int _tmp_cp_ret1;1170 (_tmp_cp_ret1=printf("%d", x)) , _tmp_cp_ret1;1171 *(int *)&_tmp_cp_ret1; // ^?{}1172 }1173 1174 struct _tuple2_ { // _tuple2_(T0, T1)1175 void *field_0;1176 void *field_1;1177 };1178 struct _conc__tuple2_0 { // _tuple2_(int, const char *)1179 int field_0;1180 const char *field_1;1181 };1182 struct _conc__tuple2_0 _tmp_cp6; // _tuple2_(int, const char *)1183 const char *_thunk0(const char **_p0, const char *_p1){1184 // const char * ?=?(const char **, const char *)1185 return *_p0=_p1;1186 }1187 void _thunk1(const char **_p0){ // void ?{}(const char **)1188 *_p0; // ?{}1189 }1190 void _thunk2(const char **_p0, const char *_p1){1191 // void ?{}(const char **, const char *)1192 *_p0=_p1; // ?{}1193 }1194 void _thunk3(const char **_p0){ // void ^?{}(const char **)1195 *_p0; // ^?{}1196 }1197 void _thunk4(struct _conc__tuple2_0 _p0){ // void print([int, const char *])1198 struct _tuple1_ { // _tuple1_(T0)1199 void *field_0;1200 };1201 struct _conc__tuple1_1 { // _tuple1_(const char *)1202 const char *field_0;1203 };1204 void _thunk5(struct _conc__tuple1_1 _pp0){ // void print([const char *])1205 print_string(_pp0.field_0); // print(rest.0)1206 }1207 void _adapter_i_pii_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_ret, void *_p0, void *_p1){1208 *(int *)_ret=((int (*)(int *, int))_adaptee)(_p0, *(int *)_p1);1209 }1210 void _adapter_pii_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0, void *_p1){1211 ((void (*)(int *, int ))_adaptee)(_p0, *(int *)_p1);1212 }1213 void _adapter_i_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0){1214 ((void (*)(int))_adaptee)(*(int *)_p0);1215 }1216 void _adapter_tuple1_5_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0){1217 ((void (*)(struct _conc__tuple1_1 ))_adaptee)(*(struct _conc__tuple1_1 *)_p0);1218 }1219 print_variadic(1220 _adapter_tuple1_5,1221 _adapter_i_,1222 _adapter_pii_,1223 _adapter_i_pii_,1224 sizeof(int),1225 __alignof__(int),1226 sizeof(struct _conc__tuple1_1),1227 __alignof__(struct _conc__tuple1_1),1228 (void *(*)(void *, void *))_assign_i, // int ?=?(int *, int)1229 (void (*)(void *))_ctor_i, // void ?{}(int *)1230 (void (*)(void *, void *))_ctor_ii, // void ?{}(int *, int)1231 (void (*)(void *))_dtor_ii, // void ^?{}(int *)1232 (void (*)(void *))print_int, // void print(int)1233 (void (*)(void *))&_thunk5, // void print([const char *])1234 &_p0.field_0, // rest.01235 &(struct _conc__tuple1_1 ){ _p0.field_1 } // [rest.1]1236 );1237 }1238 struct _tuple1_ { // _tuple1_(T0)1239 void *field_0;1240 };1241 struct _conc__tuple1_6 { // _tuple_1(const char *)1242 const char *field_0;1243 };1244 const char *_temp0;1245 _temp0="x = ";1246 void _adapter_pstring_pstring_string(1247 void (*_adaptee)(),1248 void *_ret,1249 void *_p0,1250 void *_p11251 ){1252 *(const char **)_ret=1253 ((const char *(*)(const char **, const char *))_adaptee)(1254 _p0,1255 *(const char **)_p11256 );1257 }1258 void _adapter_pstring_string(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0, void *_p1){1259 ((void (*)(const char **, const char *))_adaptee)(_p0, *(const char **)_p1);1260 }1261 void _adapter_string_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0){1262 ((void (*)(const char *))_adaptee)(*(const char **)_p0);1263 }1264 void _adapter_tuple2_0_(void (*_adaptee)(), void *_p0){1265 ((void (*)(struct _conc__tuple2_0 ))_adaptee)(*(struct _conc__tuple2_0 *)_p0);1266 }1267 print_variadic(1268 _adapter_tuple2_0_,1269 _adapter_string_,1270 _adapter_pstring_string_,1271 _adapter_pstring_pstring_string_,1272 sizeof(const char *),1273 __alignof__(const char *),1274 sizeof(struct _conc__tuple2_0 ),1275 __alignof__(struct _conc__tuple2_0 ),1276 (void *(*)(void *, void *))&_thunk0, // const char * ?=?(const char **, const char *)1277 (void (*)(void *))&_thunk1, // void ?{}(const char **)1278 (void (*)(void *, void *))&_thunk2, // void ?{}(const char **, const char *)1279 (void (*)(void *))&_thunk3, // void ^?{}(const char **)1280 (void (*)(void *))print_string, // void print(const char *)1281 (void (*)(void *))&_thunk4, // void print([int, const char *])1282 &_temp0, // "x = "1283 (({ // copy construct tuple argument to print1284 int *__multassign_L0 = (int *)&_tmp_cp6.field_0;1285 const char **__multassign_L1 = (const char **)&_tmp_cp6.field_1;1286 int __multassign_R0 = 123;1287 const char *__multassign_R1 = ".\n";1288 ((*__multassign_L0=__multassign_R0 /* ?{} */),1289 (*__multassign_L1=__multassign_R1 /* ?{} */));1290 }), &_tmp_cp6) // [123, ".\n"]1291 );1292 ({ // destroy argument temporary1293 int *__massassign_L0 = (int *)&_tmp_cp6.field_0;1294 const char **__massassign_L1 = (const char **)&_tmp_cp6.field_1;1295 ((*__massassign_L0 /* ^?{} */) , (*__massassign_L1 /* ^?{} */));1296 });1297 \end{cfacode}1298 The type @_tuple2_@ is generated to allow passing the @rest@ argument to @print_variadic@.1299 Thunks 0 through 3 provide wrappers for the @otype@ parameters for @const char *@, while @_thunk4@ translates a call to @print([int, const char *])@ into a call to @print_variadic(int, [const char *])@.1300 This all builds to a call to @print_variadic@, with the appropriate copy construction of the tuple argument.1301 1302 \section{Future Work}
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