VHDL Issue Number:        2114

Language_Version          VHDL-2002
Classification            Language Modeling Enhancement or Deficiency
Summary                   1076.6-2004 section 8.6.5 Slice names is too restrictive.
Relevant_LRM_Sections     8.6.5 of 1076.6-2004
Related_Issues            
Key_Words_and_Phrases     
Authors_Name              Jim Lewis
Authors_Phone_Number      503-590-4787
Authors_Fax_Number        
Authors_Email_Address     jim@synthworks.com
Authors_Affiliation       SynthWorks VHDL Training
Authors_Address1          
Authors_Address2          
Authors_Address3          

Current Status:          Forwarded 

Superseded By:

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Date Submitted:           23 April 2007
Date Analyzed:
Author of Analysis:
Revision Number:          1
Date Last Revised:        03 May 2007

Description of Problem
----------------------

8.6.5 Slice names
    slice_name :::   prefix ( discrete_range )
    Supported:
    -- slice_name
    Using a slice name of an unconstrained out parameter in a
    procedure shall not be supported.  Null slices shall not be
    supported.  For a discrete range that appears as part of a slice
    name, the bounds of the discrete range shall be specified directly
    or indirectly as static values belonging to an integer type.

Proposed Resolution
-------------------

Null slices are common and need to be supported.
    
    Any integer range needs to be resolved so that things like multiplexers can be created.

VASG-ISAC Analysis & Rationale
------------------------------

This should be forwarded to the Synthesis Working Group as a
requirement.


VASG-ISAC Recommendation for IEEE Std 1076-2002
-----------------------------------------------

No change.

VASG-ISAC Recommendation for Future Revisions
---------------------------------------------

Consider this a Synthesis Working Group requirement.