VHDL Issue Number:      0045
Classification:         Language Definition Problem
Language Version:       VHDL-87
Summary:                Overloading for enumeration literals not completely
                        defined.
Related Issues:      
Relevant LRM Sections:  10.3, 3.1.1
Key Words and Phrases:  Enumeration literal, overloading, parameter and result
                        type profile
Current Status:         ISAC-Approved
1076-1993 Disposition:  Closed (All Issues Completely Addressed)
Disposition Rationale:  LRM is clear now, as defined in Section 3.1.1.
Superseded By:          N/A
-----------------------
Date Submitted:         1989/02/10
Author of Submission:   Doug Dunlop
Author's Affiliation:   Intermetrics, Inc.
Author's Post Address:  4733 Bethesda Ave #415
                        Bethesda, MD  20814
Author's Phone Number:  (301) 657-3775
Author's Fax Number:    
Author's Net Address:   dunlop@inmet.inmet.com
-----------------------
Date Analyzed:          1990/10/01
Author of Analysis:     Doug Dunlop
Revision Number:        $Revision: 1.6 $
Date Last Revised:      $Date: 1995/05/13 21:53:48 $


Description of Problem
----------------------
The parameter and result type profile of an enumeration
literal is not defined.  Enumeration literals must have parameter and result
type profiles in order to apply the rules for hiding, etc., from LRM 10.3.


Proposed Resolution
-------------------
As in Ada, we assume that an enumeration literal declaration is
equivalent to the declaration of a parameterless function, the designator being
an enumeration literal, and the result type being an enumeration type.


VASG-ISAC Analysis & Rationale
------------------------------
It appears the intent of the language is to allow overloading of enumeration
literals as well as subprograms.  For the overloading and visibility rules to
work correctly, the parameter and result type profile of an enumeration
literal must be defined.  As suggested above, it appears to make most sense
to follow the lead of Ada here.


VASG-ISAC Recommendation for IEEE Std 1076-1987
-----------------------------------------------
For the purpose of the overloading and visibility rules of the language,
an enumeration literal declaration is equivalent to the declaration of a
parameterless function, the designator being an enumeration literal, and
the result type being an enumeration type.


VASG-ISAC Recommendation for Future Revisions
---------------------------------------------
Reflect this decision in the reference manual.