[sv-bc] RE: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?

DANiel,

Although I agree that it is good programming practice to consistently
use a const initialization, it would add another semantic rule to the
language. In such case, I would look at the cost of the rule versus the
cost to the user of not having it. I don't see any difficult to detect
or debug issues with not having the rule.

I do think the LRM could be more explicit about when the evaluation of
the initialization of a const class member occurs.

Dave

From: Daniel Mlynek [mailto:daniel.mlynek@aldec.com.pl]
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 1:32 AM
To: Rich, Dave; 'Surya Pratik Saha'
Cc: sv-ec@eda.org; sv-bc@eda.org; 'Bijoy Gopal Nandy'
Subject: RE: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?

In my opinion this is not good idea to allow user skip the
initialization of const variable.

This only confuses the user and adds no value to the language.

I agree with Surya that if conts with initialization should really be
alllowed then LRM should be rewritten both chapters - about const and
about const in classes.

I would prefer to rewrite them and say that const must have an
initaliation.

DANiel

________________________________

From: owner-sv-ec@eda.org [mailto:owner-sv-ec@eda.org] On Behalf Of
Rich, Dave
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 6:45 AM
To: Surya Pratik Saha
Cc: sv-ec@eda.org; sv-bc@eda.org; Bijoy Gopal Nandy
Subject: RE: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?

A static constant declared with the const keyword can be set to an
expression of literals, parameters, local

parameters, genvars, enumerated names, a constant function of these, or
other constants. Hierarchical names

are allowed because constants declared with the const keyword are
calculated after elaboration.

const logic option = a.b.c ;

An automatic constant declared with the const keyword can be set to any
expression that would be legal

without the const keyword.

Note the use of the word can, not shall. There is no requirement that it
has to have an assignment. I would expect the behavior to be the same as
a non-const variable. The const keyword is a modifier that prevents
further assignments to that variable. That is all that it does.

Dave

From: Surya Pratik Saha [mailto:spsaha@cal.interrasystems.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:11 PM
To: Rich, Dave
Cc: sv-ec@eda.org; sv-bc@eda.org; Bijoy Gopal Nandy
Subject: Re: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?

Hi Dave,
I could not find anything in "6.20.6" where it allows const declaration
without initialization. Please let me know if there is any LRM
specification.

Also, it is not clear what is the value of using a const declared
variable which does not have initialization, will it take default value
(like for 4 state, it will be all 'x', and for 2 state it will be all
'0')?

And if 'global constant' can be declared without initialization, then I
think some rewriting is required in "8.18 Constant class properties",
otherwise it is very confusing.

Regards
Surya

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [sv-bc] RE: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?
From: Rich, Dave <Dave_Rich@mentor.com> <mailto:Dave_Rich@mentor.com>
To: Surya Pratik Saha <spsaha@cal.interrasystems.com>
<mailto:spsaha@cal.interrasystems.com> , sv-ec@eda.org, sv-bc@eda.org
Cc: "Bijoy Gopal Nandy" <bijoy@cal.interrasystems.com>
<mailto:bijoy@cal.interrasystems.com>
Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 8:21:05 PM

Yes, see section 6.20. There is no requirement to have an user specified
initialization.
 
The name global constant is a misnomer. It behaves like any other const,
which means it can take on different values each time the variable comes
into existence because the initialization expression may evaluate
differently.
 
The only thing special about a class instance constant is that it is
allowing a "write" to the const variable in the constructor instead of
the declaration initialization.
 
  

        -----Original Message-----
        From: owner-sv-ec@eda.org [mailto:owner-sv-ec@eda.org] On Behalf
Of
            

Surya
  

        Pratik Saha
        Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 7:19 AM
        To: sv-ec@eda.org; sv-bc@eda.org
        Cc: Bijoy Gopal Nandy
        Subject: [sv-ec] Is instance constant allowed outside class?
         
        Hi,
        "8.18 Constant class properties" of SV 2009 LRM defines two
types of
        constants - global constant (initialization is must) and
instance
        constant (initialization is missing). Is it allowed to use that
            

instance
  

        constant syntax in non-class scope? For e.g.:
        module top;
            const int x; // Is it allowed?
        endmodule
         
        OR
        module top;
            class C;
               function f;
                  const int x; // Is it allowed
               endfunction
            endclass
        endmodule
         
        Some standard tools pass both the cases. Also OVM 2.1.1 has 2nd
type
            

of
  

        syntax usage in its source. Please let me know.
         
        --
        Regards
        Surya
         
         
         
         
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