Re: 'Valid, subtypes and constraint checking

[Jeffrey Carter <spam@spam.com>]

Peter Amey wrote:

> ExternalPort : T;
> Temp  : T;    -- note same SUBtype as the port
> ...
> Temp := ExternalPort; -- no checks generated because same subtype
> if Temp'Valid then
>   -- we can use value safely
> else
>   -- handle error safely
> end if;

If External_Port can take on values not in T, then it should not be 
considered of subtype T. For example

subtype T is Unsigned_8 range 2#0000_0000# .. 2#0000_1111#;

External_Port : Unsigned_8;
for External_Port'Address use ...;
pragma Volatile (External_Port);

Temp_8 : Unsigned_8;
Temp   : T;
...
Temp_8 := External_Port;

if Temp_8 not in T then
    raise An_Appropriate_Exception;
end i;f

'Valid is perhaps more appropriate for a value obtained from 
Unchecked_Conversion, or portions of the software where it has been 
necessary to turn of checking:

External_Port : T;
-- clauses
...
declare
    pragma Suppress ...;
begin
    Temp := External_Port;
end;

if not Temp'Valid then
    raise ...;
end if;

--  process Temp

-- 
Jeff Carter
"Death awaits you all, with nasty, big, pointy teeth!"
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
20