Expansion syntax
An expansion syntax that creates a set of expressions in software code is disclosed. The syntax includes one or more expansion constructs embedded within a software code expression, interpreted by an expansion function to create a set of expanded expressions. Each construct includes an expansion syntax indicator and a plurality of list parameters, which may be start, end, step, and skip integers, or strings of non-white space. Both constructs may include either default or expressly assigned list names, which serve as iterators during the expansion process. Each expanded expression created includes a list member from each embedded construct. The expansion methodology, and the resulting set of expanded expressions, depends upon the number of unique iterators present in the software code expression and whether any of the embedded constructs include the stride parameter.
1. A method to create an expansion syntax for semiconductor design software that allows a single complex software code expression that represents multiple logic gates to be expanded into one or more simple software code expressions that individually represent a single logic gate, comprising:
embedding a list construct within a software code expression wherein said list construct includes an expansion syntax indicator comprising a pair of brackets enclosing a plurality of list parameters wherein said list parameters identify list members and wherein said list members comprise ordered integers within the range of integers identified by a start integer, an end integer, and optionally a count integer, a step integer and or a skip integer to indicate a count of integers to step or skip during expansion, wherein said list construct further comprises one or more iterators used as an operator acting upon a parameter list to expand the list members, and wherein the list is grouped as a default list name or a explicit list name;
interpreting said list construct within said software code expression according to one of said iterator and said list member expansion syntax using an expansion function; and
expanding using said expansion function said list construct within said software code expression to create a set of expanded expressions, said expanding further comprising:
where one of said software code expressions contains only one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the list size associated with said one unique iterator; or
where said software code expression contains more than one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the cross product of the list sizes associated with each unique iterator;
wherein the cross product is defined according to the relationships between the skip and stride definitions of said iterators, if any, or as a full cross product otherwise.
2. The claim according to claim 1 wherein said list construct further comprises an expansion list construct and or an explicit list construct.
3. A method to use an expansion syntax for semiconductor design software that allows a single complex software code expression that represents multiple logic gates to be expanded into one or more simple software code expressions that individually represent a single logic gate, comprising:
embedding a list construct within a software code expression wherein said list construct includes an expansion syntax indicator comprising a pair of brackets enclosing a plurality of list parameters wherein said list parameters identify list members and wherein said list members comprise ordered integers within the range of integers identified by a start integer, an end integer, and optionally a count integer, a step integer and or a skip integer to indicate a count of integers to step or skip during expansion, wherein said list construct further comprises one or more iterators used as an operator acting upon a parameter list to expand the list members, and wherein the list is grouped as a default list name or a explicit list name;
interpreting said list construct within said software code expression according to one of said iterator and said list member expansion syntax using an expansion function; and
expanding using said expansion function said list construct within said software code expression to create a set of expanded expressions; said expanding further comprising:
where one of said software code expressions contains only one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the list size associated with said one unique iterator; or
where said software code expression contains more than one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the cross product of the list sizes associated with each unique iterator;
wherein the cross product is defined according to the relationships between the skip and stride definitions of said iterators, if any, or as a full cross product otherwise.
4. The claim according to claim 3 wherein said list construct further comprises an expansion list construct and or an explicit list construct.
5. A program storage device readable by a computer that tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method to use an expansion syntax for semiconductor design software that allows a single complex software code expression that represents multiple logic gates to be expanded into one or more simple software code expressions that individually represent a single logic gate, comprising:
embedding a list construct within a software code expression wherein said list construct includes an expansion syntax indicator comprising a pair of brackets enclosing a plurality of list parameters wherein said list parameters identify list members and wherein said list members comprise ordered integers within the range of integers identified by a start integer, an end integer, and optionally a count integer, a step integer and or a skip integer to indicate a count of integers to step or skip during expansion, wherein said list construct further comprises one or more iterators used as an operator acting upon a parameter list to expand the list members, and wherein the list is grouped as a default list name or a explicit list name
interpreting said list construct within said software code expression according to one of said iterator and said list member expansion syntax using an expansion function; and
expanding using said expansion function said list construct within said software code expression to create a set of expanded expressions, said expanding further comprising:
where one of said software code expressions contains only one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the list size associated with said one unique iterator; or
where said software code expression contains more than one unique iterator, said one code expression is expanded as the cross product of the list sizes associated with each unique iterator;
wherein the cross product is defined according to the relationships between the skip and stride definitions of said iterators, if any, or as a full cross product otherwise.
6. The claim according to claim 5 wherein said list construct further comprises an expansion list construct and or an explicit list construct.