VIP7 Construct examples

This page contains a collection of basic examples for (mainly) the newer constructs found in VIP7.

Fact variables

Fact variables are the only mutable types in VIP.

First, a reminder for ordinary facts:

facts
    ndb_int : (integer).  % a nondeterministic fact (0 to any number of values)
    db_int : (integer,string) determ. % a deterministic fact (0 to 1 value)

These types of fact are asserted and retracted.

Examples (fact variables)

facts
    zz_int:integer := 0.
    zz_fred:integer := erroneous.
 
domains
    dom = dom(string,chaindb::ref).
 
facts
    zz_dom : dom := erroneous.
 
clauses
    pred() :-
        zz_int := 7,
        stdio::write("\n zz_int = ", zz_int), %will write "zz_int = 7"
        zz_int := zz_int+20,
        stdio::write("\n zz_int = ", zz_int), %will write "zz_int = 27"
        succeed.

Fact variables are great for counting e.g.

predicates
    how_many : () -> integer Count.
clauses
    how_many() = zz_int :-
        zz_int := 0,
        foreach some_nondeterm_fact_or_pred() do
            zz_int := zz_int+1
        end foreach.
 
clauses
    pred() :-
       stdio::write("\n There are ", how_many(), " items").

Lists - findall and list comprehension

See Lists and Recursion findall() has been deprecated, so use the list comprehension construct.

Examples

facts
    ndb : (integer). %default is nondeterm for a fact
clauses
    ndb(1).
    ndb(2).
    ndb(3).
    ....
    ndb(10).
 
clauses
    pred_old() :-
        findall(X,ndb(X),List).
        %results in List = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
 
clauses
    pred_new() :-
        List = [X||ndb(X)].
        %results in List = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
 
clauses
    pred_filter() :-
        List = [X||ndb(X), X>6].
        %results in List = [7,8,9,10]
 
    pred_filter() :-
        List = [X||ndb(X), X mod 2 = 0].
        %results in List = [2,4,6,8,10]
 
    pred_filter() :-
        List = [X||ndb(X), X mod 2 = 0, X<7].
        %results in List = [2,4,6]
 
    pred_filter() :-
        zz_int := 0,
        List = [X||ndb(X), X mod 2 = 0, X<7, zz_int := zz_int+1].
        %results in List = [2,4,6] and zz_int = 3.
 
    pred_filter() :-
        List = [X||ndb(X), Y = pred2(X), Y>10].   %with pred2(X) = X^2.
        %results in List = [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
        %reason - X = 3 gives Y = 9 which is < 10.
 
    pred_other() :-
        L = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10],
        LIST = [ X || X = list::getMember_nd(L)].
        %results in List = L
 
    pred_other() :-
        Primes = [X||X = std::fromto(1,300),
        L1 = [Y||Y = std::fromto(2,150)],
        tt(X,L1)].
        %results in List = prime numbers, with:
 
class predicates
        tt : (integer,integer*) determ.
clauses
        tt(_X,[]) :- !.
        tt(X,[X|_]) :- !.
        tt(X,[Y|L]) :-
        X mod Y<>0,
        tt(X,L).

if-then-else (code)

Examples

clauses
    pred(X,Y) = Z :-
        if X = 0 then
            Z = "x is zero"
        elseif X>0 then
            if pred3(Y) = true then
                Z = "x>0 and pred(Y) is true"
            else
                Z = "x>0 and pred(Y) is false"
            end if  %note, no comma here either
        else
            Z = "x <0"
        end if.

#if #then #else (directive for conditional compilation)

Examples

constants
    u64_con = 1.
    int_con = 2.
    real_con = 3.
 
    compile_big_con = u64_con. %change this and then recompile.
 
#if compile_big_con = u64_con #then
    predicates
        pred : () -> unsigned64.
    clauses
        pred() = U64 :-
            U64 = 78766.
 
#elseif compile_big_con = int_con #then
    predicates
        pred : () -> integer.
    clauses
        pred() = Int :-
            Int = 20.
 
#else
    predicates
        pred : (real [out]).
    clauses
        pred(0.766).
 
#endif

Note Code construct uses if  - then, elseif  - then, else, end if compiler directive uses #if - #then, #elseif - #then, #else, #endif (just the "end if" is "different")

Trap and try/catch/finally

See Try-catch-finally Note, in Built-in entities/Predicates suggests using try-end try instead of trap(_,_,_)

Example 1

clauses
    pred_all() :-
        try
            call_pred_that_might_crash(0)
        catch ErrorNo do
            call_own_exception_pred(ErrorNo)
        finally
            always_call_this_anyway()
        end try.
 
class predicates
    call_pred_that_might_crash : (integer).
    call_own_exception_pred : (pointer ErrorNo).
    always_call_this_anyway : ().
clauses
    call_pred_that_might_crash(X) :-
        Y = 9/X.
 
    call_own_exception_pred(ErrorNo) :-
        vpiCommonDialogs::note("crashed").
 
    always_call_this_anyway() :-
        vpiCommonDialogs::note("finally reached").

Example 2

clauses
    pred_some() :-
        try
            call_pred_that_might_crash(0)
        finally
            always_call_this_anyway()
        end try.

% in this case, VIP will automatically pop up its exception dialog

Example 3

clauses
    pred_some() :-
        try
            call_pred_that_might_crash(0)
        catch ErrorNo do
            call_own_exception_pred(ErrorNo)
        end try.

Example 4 - illegal - it must have a catch or finally

clauses
    pred_illegal() :-
        try
            call_pred_that_might_crash(0)
        end try.

Foreach

See Foreach

64 bit numbers - history

Up to VIP7.1, integer64 etc were defined as:

domains
    unsigned64 = unsigned64(unsigned32 Low, unsigned32 High).
    integer64 = integer64(unsigned32 Low, integer32 High).

In VIP7.2 these have been renamed:

domains
    unsigned64_struct = unsigned64(unsigned Low, unsigned High).
    integer64_struct = integer64(unsigned Low, integer High).

So, for example, in VIP7.1:

predicates
     getFileProperties : (
        string FileName,
        fileSystem_api::fileAttributes Attributes,
        fileSystem_api::fileSize Size,
        core::gmtTimeValue Creation,
        core::gmtTimeValue LastAccess,
        core::gmtTimeValue LastChange)
        procedure (i,o,o,o,o,o).

if you needed use (and write) fileSize and times, you would have to have done some juggling (such as converting them to real numbers).

To generate a 64 bit random number:

predicates %before VIP7.2
    gen64 : () -> unsigned64.
clauses
    gen64() = U64 :-
        N = 2^32,
        Low = math::random(N+0),
        High = math::random(N+0),
        U64 = unsigned64(Low,High).

and possibly you would have needed (e.g.) math::add:

predicates
    add : (core::unsigned64 Augend, core::unsigned64 Addend) -> core::unsigned64 Sum

It's now totally straightforward in VIP7.2 - just treat 64 bit numbers like any other number. You may also want these conversions - found in core:: - for old code (this snippet is stolen from Thomas' post)

predicates
    toUnsigned64 : (unsigned64_struct) -> unsigned64.
    fromUnsigned64 : (unsigned64) -> unsigned64_struct.
    toInteger64 : (integer64_struct) -> integer64.
    fromInteger64 : (integer64) -> integer64_struct.

And just for reference:

• integer range = -2^31 to +2^31-1 = -2147483648 .. 2147483647
• unsigned range = 0 to (2^32)-1 = 4294967295
• integer64 range = -2^63 to 2^63
• unsigned64 range = 0 to (2^64)-1 = 18446744073709551615 ( = 1.844..E19)

Polymorphic Domains

See Objects and Polymorphism

First, check out the definitions - core::tuple{}. And while you're there, just below, see core::predicate{} and core::function{}, then followed by comparator{A} and list{A}.

The domains in class list:: are polymorphic, but you can define your own polymorphic domains. Here are some examples:

domains
    poly_dom{A,B} = poly_def(A,B).

When you use it in your code, A and B can be any other domain. The domain name is poly_dom{A,B}, and you reference it you must use its whole name (not just poly_dom) e.g.

domains
    joe{A,B} = poly_dom{A,B}*.
/* the next two lines are illegal
    poly_dom{A,B} = poly_def(A,B)*.
    poly_dom{A,A} = poly_def(A,A).
*/
    fred{A,B} = fred(poly_dom{A,B},integer).
 
    maybe_silly_dom{A,B} =
        silly2(A,B);
        silly(A);
        pd(poly_dom{A,B});
        poly_dom(A,B);%IS NOT THE SAME POLY_DOM!! (notice no braces)
        s(string).
 
    another{A} =
        i(integer);
        s(string);
        a(A);
        self(another({A}).
 
facts
    zz_poly_dom:poly_dom{integer,integer} := erroneous.
 
class predicates
    p_morphic_test : ().
clauses
    p_morphic_test() :-
        zz_poly_dom := poly_def(1,5),
        call_pd(zz_poly_dom),
        fail.
    p_morphic_test() :-
        PD = poly_def(1,["an example","or two"]),
        call_pd(PD),
        fail.
    p_morphic_test() :-
        Q = [poly_def(X, Y) || X = std::fromTo(1, 4), Y = std::fromTo(1, 5)],
        stdio::write("\n",Q),
        fail.
    p_morphic_test().
 
class predicates
    call_pd : (poly_dom{A,B}).
clauses
    call_pd(POLY_DOM) :-
        stdio::write("\n",POLY_DOM),
        fail.
    call_pd(poly_def(A,B)) :- %note this is POLY_DEF
        stdio::write("\n",A,B),
        fail.
    call_pd(_).

Properties

Properties in a class are used almost identically to fact variables, but properties can be set directly (from another class), without having to declare a public predicate to make the change.

Example

interface fred
    domains
        complete_dom = is_complete;
                     not_complete.
    properties
        prop_complete : complete_dom.
end interface fred

In fred.pro:

implement fred
facts
    zz_complete:complete_dom := erroneous.
 
clauses %for the property
    prop_complete() = zz_complete. %get
    prop_complete(COMPLETE) :- zz_complete := COMPLETE. %set

In some other class that calls class fred:

implement other
    open fred
clauses
    pred() :-
        Fred = fred::new(),
        Fred:prop_complete := is_complete,% to set the value
        Value = Fred:prop_complete, !. %get

Comparators and compare

First, look at the definition of core::comparator:

domains
    comparator{T} = function{T, T, compareResult}.

compareResult's definition can is found here: compareResult

Examples

class predicates
    p_compare_test : ().
clauses
    p_compare_test() :-
        CompareResult = compare(7,2).
        %will bind CompareResult to '''greater()'''
        %(because 7 > 2)
    p_compare_test() :-
        CompareResult = compare(2,2).
        %will bind CompareResult to '''equal()'''
    p_compare_test() :-
        CompareResult = compare("a","z").
        %will bind CompareResult to '''less()'''

But you may wish to check your own domains to see which is "greater" - and of course you must define this yourself, by defining your own predicate as a core::comparator Here is a simple domain in which only the integer parts of the variables are checked to see which is greater:

domains
    s = s(string,integer).
 
class predicates
    compare_it: core::comparator{s}.
clauses
    compare_it(A,B) = CompareResult :- %since this is a core::function(T,T,compareResult)
        A = s(_,I),
        B = s(_,J),
        if I<J then
            CompareResult = less()
        elseif I = J then
            CompareResult = equal()
        else
            CompareResult = greater()
        end if.
 
class predicates
    p_compare_test : ().
clauses
    p_compare_test() :-
        S1 = s("abc",7),
        S2 = s("fred",9),
        CompareResult = compare_it(S1,S2),
        %will give CompareResult = less, since 7<9.

...a bit pointless since the string part of the variables have been ignored, but it is easy to see how to expand compare_it() to your own needs.

list::sortby example using Comparator

list::sortby also uses Compareresult.

Say you have the following domain and fact:

domains
	triple=triple(string,gmttimevalue,integer).
facts
	zz_triples:triple:=erroneous.

zz_triples is populated, but it needs to be sorted by date/time. Then:

clauses
	test():-
		zz_triples:=list::sortby(cp,zz_triples).
 
predicates
	cp:core::comparator{triple}.
clauses
	cp(A,B)=CompareResult:-
		A=triple(_,ATv,_),
		B=triple(_,BTv,_),
		GMTA=gmttime::new(Atv),
		GMTB=gmttime::new(Btv),
		if GMTA:before(GMTB) then
			CompareResult=less
		else
			CompareResult=greater
		end if,!.

or

	test():-
		zz_triples:=list::sortBy(
    			{(A,B)=CompareResult:-
				A=triple(_,ATv,_),
				B=triple(_,BTv,_),
				GMTA=gmttime::new(Atv),
				GMTB=gmttime::new(Btv),
				if GMTA:before(GMTB) then
					CompareResult=less
				else
					CompareResult=greater
				end if},
	           	zz_triples).

Also see http://wiki.visual-prolog.com/index.php?title=Language_Reference/Terms#Sorting

More on core::function and core::predicate

Again, please check out core::function. core::predicate is essentially the same, but does not return a value.

Example 1

class predicates
    two_times:function{integer,integer}.
% or    two_times: core::function{integer,integer}.
clauses
    two_times(A) = 2*A.
class predicates
    p_function : ().
clauses
    p_function() :-
        Z = two_times(2),
        %binds Z to 4

Example 2

domains
    fred_dom{A,B} = predicate{A,B}.
% or    fred_dom{A,B} = core::predicate{A,B}.
 
class predicates
    fred_pred: fred_dom{A,B}.
clauses
    fred_pred(A,B) :-
        stdio::write("\n",A," ",B).
 
class predicates
    p_pred : ().
clauses
    p_pred() :-
        fred_pred("one",2).

Example 3

class predicates
    add_func: function{integer,integer}.
clauses
    add_func(B) = B+1.
 
class predicates
    p_function : ().
clauses
    p_function() :-
        X = add_func(5),
        %X is bound to 6

Anonymous predicates

(under development)

See Anonymous Predicates

Examples

clauses
    run() :-
        Anon = {() = 9},
        K = Anon().
        %results in K = 9
    run() :-
        Anon = { = 88},
        K = Anon().
        %results in K = 88.
    run() :-
        Anon = {(A,B) = A+B},
        K = Anon(4,8),
        %results in K = 12.
    run() :-
        Anon = {
            (A,B) = C :-
            R = math::random(7),
            C = A+B+R,
            stdio::wRite("RRRR = ",R)
            },
        K = Anon(4,8).
        %results in K = 12 + a random number <7
 
    run() :-
        Anon = { = f_abc(3)},
        K = Anon(),
        stdio::write("\nI = { = f_abc(3)} gives ",K),
        fail.
    run().

Threads

To start a thread:

clauses
    pred() :-
        _ = thread::start(fred).
 
predicates
    fred : ().
clauses
    fred() :- .....

fred can have no arguments, so no argument brackets are allowed:

    _ = thread::start(fred())

is illegal.

Using Anonymous Predicates is rather simple to pass arguments to thread:

clauses
    pred(X) :-
        _ = thread::start( { :- fred(X) } ).
 
predicates
    fred : (integer K).
clauses
    fred(K) :-
        ...