RE: Why is type for string parameters mandatory?

In 1364, there is no such thing as a string data type. There is a string
literal, which can be thought of a special representation of an integer
vector. An n-character string is an 8*n bit unsigned integer. So you can
assign a string literal to a parameter. Similarly, in 1364 there is no
such thing as a string register. The register contents are identical
whether you think of them as a string or as an integer. The register
size is constant, though.

SystemVerilog added a string data type, which is a dynamically sized
type.

Shalom

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-verilog-ams@server.eda.org [mailto:owner-verilog-
> ams@server.eda.org] On Behalf Of Dave Miller
> Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 7:22 PM
> To: Verilog-AMS LRM Committee
> Subject: Why is type for string parameters mandatory?
> 
> Hi all,
> I am just wondering why do we explicitly say that the type
specification
> for a string parameter is mandatory?
> Why can't we allow the type to be derived based upon the default
> expression.
> Do you think we could remove this restriction in 3.2.1 and just
mention
> that if no type is specified and the parameter is assigned a default
> value of a string, then the type of the parameter will be string and
it
> will be an error if the parameter is overridden with any numerical
> value.
> This is causing me some problems at the moment as some digital
> simulators that I am using allow string parameters to be defined
without
> the type. In fact if I understand digital correctly (2005) you can't
> actually have a string parameter (only string registers) but that is a
> separate issue.
> 
> Dave
> 
> --
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> -- David Miller
> -- Design Technology (Austin)
> -- Freescale Semiconductor
> -- Ph : 512 996-7377 Fax: x7755
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