(Feature req) Better optimisation for operator /=

[ra1u]

Operator /= is not threated same at optimisation as ==. Where there is possibility for code to be optimised away operator == works better (eliminates dead code) where /= does not

To show this we need some non trivial functions that generates files

common code

module Pg2 where
import CLaSH.Prelude

type T = Signed 8

funcA :: T -> T
funcA a = fold (+) $ a :> 1 :> 2 :> 3 :> Nil

funcB :: T -> T
funcB a = fold (+) $ a :> 2 :> 3 :> 4 :> Nil

topEntity = funcC d0

Using ==

funcC :: (KnownNat n) => SNat n -> T -> T
funcC s
    | not ( snatToInteger s == 0 ) = funcA . funcA
    | otherwise = funcB . funcB

compiling to verilog generates this files

Pg2_funcB_2.v
Pg2_funcC_zdsfuncC_1.v
Pg2_testbench.v
Pg2_topEntity_0.v
Pg2_topEntity.v

We see that funcA is optimised out
Now same code with operator /=

funcC :: (KnownNat n) => SNat n -> T -> T
funcC s
    | snatToInteger s /= 0 = funcA . funcA
    | otherwise = funcB . funcB

generated files

Pg2_funcA_3.v
Pg2_funcB_2.v
Pg2_funcC_zdsfuncC_1.v
Pg2_testbench.v
Pg2_topEntity_0.v
Pg2_topEntity.v

Here we see that funcA is also instantiated. It is also used in generated code, but I omitted this here.

[ra1u]

Previous post was relevant with clash 6.10 , latest version 6.14 now yields error at synthesis with example using /=

Loading dependencies took 0.173811s 
Applied 35 transformations
Normalisation took 0.244344s
*** Exception: CLaSH.Netlist(282): Not in normal form: Not a variable reference
or primitive as subject of a case-statement

[christiaanb]

I don't really know why versions beyond clash 0.6.10 trigger the above error, I'll see what I can do about it tomorrow. For now, I've implemented constant-reduction for /= on Integer, so that you get the optimised form, and no longer get the error. I'll also implement constant-reduction for other definitions of /= on the CLaSH primitive types.