Contents

Builtins

Contents

Builtins

This section documents the builtins available in CSL. Builtins related to remote procedure calls (RPC) are documented in Builtins for Supporting Remote Procedure Calls (RPC), and builtins for operation on DSDs are documented in Builtins for DSD Operations.

@activate

Set the status of a local task to Active, allowing it to be picked by the task picker if it is also unblocked.

Syntax

@activate(id);

Where:

  • id is an expression of type local_task_id that is bound to a local task.

Example

const task_id: local_task_id = @get_local_task_id(10);
comptime {
  @bind_local_task(my_task, task_id);
}

fn foo() void {
  // make my_task eligible to be picked by task picker
  @activate(task_id);
}

@allocate_fifo

Create a FIFO DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@as

Coerce an input value from one numeric or boolean type to another.

Syntax

@as(result_type, value);

Where:

  • result_type is a numeric (i.e. boolean, integer, or float) type.

  • value is numeric value.

Example

// Convert the integer literal 10 into the 16-bit float value 10.0.
@as(f16, 10);

// Convert the float literal 10.2 into the 16-bit integer value 10.
@as(i16, 10.2);

Semantics

Float-to-integer type coercion rounds the value towards zero. For example:

  • @as(i16, 11.2) == 11

  • @as(i16, 10.8) == 10

  • @as(i16, -10.8) == -10

Float-to-bool and integer-to-bool type coercions are equivalent to (unordered, not-equals) comparisons with zero. Thus:

  • @as(bool, 0) == false

  • @as(bool, -0.0) == false

  • @as(bool, -5) == true

  • @as(bool, nan) == true

@assert

Asserts that a condition is true.

Syntax

@assert(cond);

Where:

  • cond is an expression of type bool.

Example

task t(wavelet : i16) void {
  @assert(wavelet > 10);
}

Semantics

Causes program execution to abort if the assert condition is false. Note: aborting will only happen in simulation, hardware executions of the program will ignore the assert.

If the assert expression is encountered in a comptime context, the builtin is equivalent to @comptime_assert.

@bitcast

Reinterpret the raw bits of the input value as a value of another type.

Syntax

@bitcast(result_type, value);

Where:

  • result_type is a pointer or numeric (i.e. boolean, integer, or float) type.

  • value is numeric value.

  • the bit width of value matches the bit width of values of type result_type.

Example

// Convert the IEEE-754 binary16 value 1.0 into its hex representation
// 0x3c00.
const one: f16 = 1.0;
@bitcast(u16, one);

// Produce a 16-bit NaN value.
const all_ones: u16 = 0xffff;
@bitcast(f16, all_ones);

@bind_control_task

Bind a task to a control_task_id, so that each time a control wavelet containing this ID in its payload is received, the task is activated and can be scheduled for activation.

Syntax

@bind_control_task(this_control_task, this_control_task_id);

Where:

  • this_control_task is the name of a task.

  • this_control_task_id is an identifier of type control_task_id.

Example

const my_task_id: control_task_id = @get_control_task_id(35);
task my_task() void {}

comptime {
  @bind_control_task(my_task, my_task_id);
}

Semantics

The @bind_control_task builtin must appear in a top-level comptime block.

@bind_data_task

Bind a task to a data_task_id, so that each time a wavelet is received along the routable color underlying data_task_id, the task is activated and can be scheduled for execution.

Syntax

@bind_data_task(this_data_task, this_data_task_id);

Where:

  • this_data_task is the name of a task.

  • this_data_task_id is an identifier of type data_task_id.

Example

// On WSE-2, data_task_ids are created from routable colors
const my_task_id: data_task_id = @get_data_task_id(@get_color(0));

// A data task takes payload of wavelet as an argument
task my_task(data: f32) void {}

comptime {
  @bind_data_task(my_task, my_task_id);
}

Semantics

The @bind_data_task builtin must appear in a top-level comptime block. Tasks passed into this builtin must take at least one argument.

@bind_local_task

Bind a task to a local_task_id, so that each time that local_task_id is unblocked and activated, the task is activated and can be scheduled for execution.

Syntax

@bind_local_task(this_local_task, this_local_task_id);

Where:

  • this_local_task is the name of a task.

  • this_local_task_id is an identifier of type local_task_id.

Example

const my_task_id: local_task_id = @get_local_task_id(10);
task my_task() void {}

comptime {
  @bind_local_task(my_task, my_task_id);
}

Semantics

The @bind_local_task builtin must appear in a top-level comptime block. Tasks passed into this builtin cannot take any arguments.

@block

Block the task associated with the input color, data_task_id, or local_task_id so that the task is prevented from running when the task identifier is activated.

For color and data_task_id inputs, @block prevents incoming wavelets on the associated color from activating tasks. This also applies to control wavelets carried by a color, preventing a control task bound to the ID in a control wavelet’s payload from activating.

Syntax

@block(id);

Where:

  • id is an expression of type

    • WSE-2: color, data_task_id, or local_task_id.

    • WSE-3: input_queue, data_task_id, local_task_id, or ut_id.

Example

// WSE-2 example
const task_id: local_task_id = @get_local_task_id(10);
comptime {
  @bind_local_task(my_task, task_id);
}

fn foo() void {
  // Prevent my_task from running whenever my_task is activated
  @block(task_id);
}

@comptime_assert

Assert a compile-time condition to be true; abort compilation if otherwise.

Syntax

@comptime_assert(cond);
@comptime_assert(cond, message);

Where:

  • cond is a comptime expression of type bool and

  • message is an expression of type comptime_string.

Example

param size: u16;

fn foo() void {
  @comptime_assert(size > 0 and size < 16);
  @comptime_assert(size > 0 and size < 16,
                   "size should be between 0 and 16");
}

@comptime_print

Prints values at compile-time whenever the compiler evaluates this statement.

Syntax

@comptime_print(val1, val2, ...);

Where:

  • all arguments are comptime expressions.

This builtin is overloaded for an arbitrary number of arguments.

Example

fn foo() void {
  const my_struct = .{.x = 0, .dir = NORTH};
  @comptime_print(my_struct); // prints the contents of `my_struct`.

  if (false) {
    @comptime_print("hello"); // not printed.
  }

  for ([2]i16 {1, 2}) |val| {
    @comptime_print("hello world"); // printed once.
    @comptime_print(val); // error: val is not comptime.
  }

  comptime {
    for ([2]i16 {1, 2}) |val| {
      @comptime_print(val); // all values are printed.
    }
  };
}

Semantics

A comptime_print statement causes the compiler to print information for its arguments whenever the compiler evaluates such builtin.

During comptime evaluation, the builtin is evaluated whenever control-flow reaches that line.

Whenever the compiler is analysing reachable non-comptime code, the builtin is evaluated exactly once. For instance, a @comptime_print builtin inside a non-comptime loop causes the compiler to evaluate it exactly once.

@concat_structs

Concatenate two anonymous structs into one.

Syntax

@concat_structs(this_struct, another_struct);

Where:

  • this_struct and another_struct are comptime expressions of anonymous struct type.

Example

const x = .{ .foo = 10 };
const y = .{ .bar = -1 };

// Produce an anonymous struct z, with the value .{ .foo = 10, .bar = -1 }.
const z = @concat_structs(x, y);

Attempting to concatenate a struct with named fields and a struct with nameless fields (e.g. .{1, 2}) results in an error.

Attempting to concatenate two structs with overlapping named fields also results in an error.

@constants

Initialize a tensor with a value.

Syntax

@constants(tensor_type, value);

Where:

  • tensor_type is a comptime tensor type.

  • The type of value is the same as the base type of tensor_type.

Example

// Initialize a tensor of four rows and five columns with the same value 10.
const matrix = @constants([4,5]i16, 10);

@dimensions

Returns a 1D array in which the i’th element equals the size of the i’th dimension of the input array type. The length of the returned array equals the rank of the input array type. The type of each element in the returned array is u32.

Syntax

@dimensions(array_type);

Where:

  • array_type is a type defining an array.

Example

const array_type_3d = [3, 5, 7]f16;
const dims = @dimensions(array_type_3d);
// dims is a 1D array of length 3 with values [3, 5, 7]

@element_count

Returns the total number of elements in the input array type as an u32.

Syntax

@element_count(array_type);

Where:

  • array_type is a type defining an array.

Example

const array_type_3d = [3, 5, 7]f16;
const num_elements = @element_count(array_type_3d);
// num_elements == 105

@element_type

Returns the element type of the input array type as a type.

Syntax

@element_type(array_type);

Where:

  • array_type is a type defining an array.

Example

const array_type_3d = [3, 5, 7]f16;
const elem_type = @element_type(array_type_3d);
// elem_type == f16

@field

Access the value of a given struct field.

Syntax

@field(some_struct, field_name);

where:

  • some_struct is a value of a struct type.

  • field_name is a string.

Example

var my_struct = .{.a = 10};

// returns the value of field 'a'
const a = @field(my_struct, "a");

// The 'a' field of 'my_struct' will be assigned the value '20'
@field(my_struct, "a") = 20;

Semantics

The builtin returns the value stored in the field_name field of some_struct if and only if such field exists.

A call to @field can also be used as the left-hand side of an assignment as shown in the example. In this scenario, the underlying field of some_struct named field_name will be updated.

@get_array

Convert a string to an array of bytes.

Syntax

@get_array(string);

Where:

  • string is an expression of type comptime_string.

Semantics

Given a value s of type comptime_string, @get_array returns an array of type [@strlen(s)]u8. This array contains the bytes inside the string.

Note that:

  • Strings in CSL are not null-terminated, so the length of the array returned by @get_array(s) is @strlen(s), not @strlen(s)+1. If a null-terminated array is required, this can be constructed by concatenating the string "\x00" onto the end of the string before passing it to @get_array.

  • Strings in CSL are strings of bytes, not of characters. String literals are interpreted as UTF-8, so if a string contains non-ASCII Unicode characters, the length of the array returned by @get_array will not match the number of characters in the string.

Example

const s = "abc";

// The type of 'arr' will be [3]u8.
const arr = @get_array(s);

// 'a', 'b', 'c' are 97, 98, 99 in UTF-8.
@comptime_assert(arr[0] == 97);
@comptime_assert(arr[1] == 98);
@comptime_assert(arr[2] == 99);

// The type of 'arr_with_terminator' will be [4]u8.
const arr_with_terminator = @get_array(@strcat(s, "\x00"));
@comptime_assert(arr[0] == 97);
@comptime_assert(arr[1] == 98);
@comptime_assert(arr[2] == 99);
@comptime_assert(arr[3] == 0);

// Although 'has_unicode' only has five characters, its UTF-8 encoding is 15
// bytes in length, because each Japanese hiragana character takes 3 bytes
// in UTF-8 encoding.
const has_unicode = "こんにちは";

// The type of 'unicode_arr' will be [15]u8.
const unicode_arr = @get_array(has_unicode);

// The first character in the string is "HIRAGANA LETTER KO", which happens
// to be encoded in UTF-8 as the bytes E3 81 93.
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[0] == 0xe3);
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[1] == 0x81);
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[2] == 0x93);

// The last character in the string is "HIRAGANA LETTER HA", which happens
// to be encoded in UTF-8 as the bytes E3 81 AF.
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[12] == 0xe3);
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[13] == 0x81);
@comptime_assert(unicode_arr[14] == 0xaf);

@get_color

Create a value of type color with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_color(color_id);

Where:

  • color_id is an integer value

Semantics

If color_id is comptime-known then it must be within the range of valid colors as defined by the target architecture.

If color_id is not comptime-known its type must be a 16-bit unsigned integer. No runtime checks are performed in this case to ensure that the color id is within the range of valid colors.

@get_color_id

Warning

@get_color_id is deprecated. Please use @get_int instead.

Returns the input color value as an integer identifier.

Syntax

@get_color_id(color_value);

Where:

  • color_value is a value of type color

Example

param c: color;
// The value of 'c' returned as an integer identifier.
const color_id: u16 = @get_color_id(c);

Semantics

The builtin will return an integer value of type u16 that corresponds to the provided color value color_value.

@get_config

Read the value of a PE configuration register.

Syntax

// The type of 'config' becomes a machine-word-sized unsigned
// integer type.
var config = @get_config(addr);

Where:

  • addr is a machine-word-sized unsigned integer expression that represents the word-address of the configuration register.

Example

comptime {
  // The value '42' will be stored in the configuration address '0x7e00'
  // before the program begins execution.
  @set_config(0x7e00, 42);

  // The previously-set value '42' will be retrieved from the configuration
  // address '0x7e00'.
  const old_value = @get_config(0x7e00);

  // This call will overwrite the previously set value in the configuration
  // address `0x7e00`.
  const new_value = old_value + 3;
  @set_config(0x7e00, new_value);
}

var config: [N]u16;
const base_addr = 0x7e00;
task foo(i: u16) void {
  // Read a configuration register at runtime.
  config[i] = @get_config(base_addr + i);
}

Semantics

The @get_config builtin can only be called at runtime and during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

It cannot be evaluated at comptime unless it is during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

If @get_config is encountered during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block then it will retrieve any configuration value that was previously stored at addr. If no user-defined value has previously been written to addr, and a default value exists for the register at addr, the default value will be returned. Otherwise, @get_config will raise an error at compile time.

A call to @get_config at runtime will become a volatile runtime read operation (i.e., a read that should never be optimized by the compiler) that will return any configuration value stored to addr. In that scenario the addr expression does not have to be comptime-known.

If addr is comptime-known then it must be a comptime-known integer value that falls within the valid configuration address range for the selected target architecture.

In addition, if @get_config is called during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block then it is not allowed to specify an address that falls within a configuration range that is reserved by the compiler. These ranges correspond to the following configurations:

  • All DSRs

  • Filters

  • Basic routing

  • Switches

  • Input queues

  • Task table

addr must be coercible to a machine-word-sized unsigned integer expression regardless of whether it’s comptime-known or not.

@get_control_task_id

Create a value of type control_task_id with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_control_task_id(id);

Where:

  • id is a comptime-known expression of any unsigned integer type, or a runtime expression of type u16.

Semantics

The builtin will only accept integers in the corresponding target architecture’s valid range for control task IDs.

If id is comptime-known, the builtin will only accept integers in the corresponding target architecture’s valid range for control task IDs.

If id is not comptime-known, its type must be u16. No runtime checks are performed in this case to ensure that id is within the range of valid control task IDs.

@get_data_task_id

Create a value of type data_task_id with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_data_task_id(id);

Where:

  • id is an expression of type

    • WSE-2: color.

    • WSE-3: input_queue.

Semantics

On WSE-2, if id is comptime-known, it must be within the range of valid routable colors as defined by the target architecture. If id is not comptime-known, no runtime checks are performed in this case to ensure that id is within the range of valid routable colors.

@get_dsd

Create either a memory or fabric DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@get_filter_id

Get the integer identifier of the filter associated with a given color.

Syntax

@get_filter_id(color_value);

Where:

  • color_value is a value of type color

Semantics

The input color_value must be comptime-known and the builtin is guaranteed to be evaluated at compile-time.

It returns the filter’s identifier (if any) as an unsigned 16-bit integer value. If there is no filter set for color_value, an error is emitted. An error is also emitted if the compiler is unable to determine a unique filter identifier for all the PEs that share the same code and parameter values.

@get_input_queue

Create a value of type ‘input_queue’ with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_input_queue(queue_id);

Where:

  • queue_id is a comptime-known non-negative integer expression

Semantics

The provided comptime-known queue_id must be a non-negative comptime-known integer expression that is within the range of valid input queue ids as defined by the target architecture.

@get_int

For types containing an underlying integer, return that integer value.

Syntax

@get_int(value);

Where:

  • value is an expression with any of the following types:

    • color

    • control_task_id

    • data_task_id

    • any enum type

    • input_queue

    • any integer type

    • local_task_id

    • output_queue

Semantics

The @get_int builtin must have a single argument value having one of the types listed above. The underlying integer value of value is returned. @get_int can be evaluated at both comptime and runtime.

  • If value has enum type, a value of the enum’s underlying integer type is returned.

  • If value has integer type, it is returned unchanged.

  • A u16 is returned if value has type color, control_task_id, data_task_id, input_queue, local_task_id, or output_queue.

Example

const an_id = @get_local_task_id(29);
const a_num : i8 = -10;
const an_enum = enum(u32) {
  FOO = 1,
  BAR = 2,
  BAZ = 3
};

comptime {
   const an_id_int = @get_int(an_id);
   @comptime_assert(@is_same_type(@type_of(an_id_int), u16));
   @comptime_assert(an_int == 29);

   const another_num = @get_int(a_num);
   @comptime_assert(@is_same_type(@type_of(another_num), i8));
   @comptime_assert(another_num == -10);

   const foo = @get_int(an_enum.FOO);
   @comptime_assert(@is_same_type(@type_of(foo), u32));
   @comptime_assert(foo == 1);
}

@get_local_task_id

Create a value of type local_task_id with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_local_task_id(id);

Where:

  • id is a comptime-known expression of any unsigned integer type, or a runtime expression of type u16.

Semantics

If id is comptime-known, the builtin will only accept integers in the corresponding target architecture’s valid range for local task IDs.

If id is not comptime-known, its type must be u16. No runtime checks are performed in this case to ensure that id is within the range of valid local task IDs.

@get_output_queue

Create a value of type ‘output_queue’ with the provided identifier.

Syntax

@get_output_queue(queue_id);

Where:

  • queue_id is a comptime-known non-negative integer expression

Semantics

The provided comptime-known queue_id must be a non-negative comptime-known integer expression that is within the range of valid output queue ids as defined by the target architecture.

@get_rectangle

Access the size of the rectangular region that was given to set_rectangle, and other layout information.

Syntax

@get_rectangle();

Returns a comptime_struct with u16 fields width and height, and additional information about the underlying fabric and offsets.

Example

comptime {
  const rectangle = @get_rectangle();
  // rectangle = .{
  //   .width = <width>, .height = <height>,
  //   .fabric = {
  //      .width = <fabric_width>, .height = <fabric_height>,
  //   },
  //   .offsets = {
  //      .width = <offset_width>, .height = <offset_height>,
  //   }
  // }
}

Semantics

get_rectangle returns the width and height provided to set_rectangle, as a comptime_struct. This struct also contains fabric, a nested struct that contains the width and height of the underlying fabric, and offsets, a nested struct that contains the width and height of the offset of the rectangle.

The @get_rectangle builtin can be used anywhere. In a layout block, @get_rectangle is only valid after the call to @set_rectangle.

@has_field

Checks whether a given struct value has a field with a given name.

Syntax

@has_field(some_struct, field_name);

where:

  • some_struct is a value of a struct type.

  • field_name is a string.

Example

@has_field(.{.blah = 10}, "blah"); // returns true.

Semantics

The builtin returns true if and only if the struct some_struct has a field called field_name.

The builtin is guaranteed to be evaluated at compile-time. The input expressions are guaranteed to have no run-time effects.

@import_comptime_value

Import a customized JSON file as a comptime value.

Syntax

@import_comptime_value(type, comptime_string);

Where:

  • type is the type of the imported value, and

  • comptime_string is the name of the JSON file representing the imported value.

Example

// array.json
[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]

// csl example
const json = @import_comptime_value([8]u16, "array.json");

comptime {
   for(@range(u16, 8)) |i| {
      @comptime_assert(json[i] == i+1);
   }
}

Semantics

The result type is provided as an argument, and the JSON must be compatible with given type. Only scalars, bool, color, comptime values (comptime_int, comptime_float, comptime_string, comptime_struct), and arrays of these types, are supported. comptime_struct can contain values of any of these types.

We use the following mappings when transliterating the JSON to CSL:

  • Boolean map to bool.

  • Strings map to comptime_string.

  • Numbers map to integer types (i8, u8, …, comptime_int), float types (f16, f32, comptime_float), or color.

  • null in JSON is an error

  • Arrays map to typed CSL arrays. Arrays can not be nested, and all elements in the JSON must map to the same type. The type of the generated CSL array can have multiple dimensions, provided the total number of elements is the same as the length of the one-dimensional JSON array.

  • Objects map to comptime_struct. All fields MUST use the syntax name:type``, to map to the name .name. All builtin types are supported, as well as one dimensional arrays. Examples of labels include "foo:bool" and "arr:[8]i16". The size of any array inside a Object map must be specified.

@import_module

Import a group of global symbols defined in a CSL file, while optionally initializing parameters in the imported file. See Modules for details.

@increment_dsd_offset

Set the offset of a memory DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@initialize_queue

Associates a routable color with a queue ID, and optionally sets the priority of the microthread associated with the queue.

Syntax

@initialize_queue(queue);
@initialize_queue(queue, config);

Where:

  • queue is a comptime-known expression of type input_queue or output_queue.

  • config is a comptime-known struct expression with the following fields:

    • color is a comptime-known expression of type color.

    • priority is an optional field that can be either .{ .high = true }, .{ .medium = true }, or .{ .low = true }.

    • ctrl_table_id is

      • WSE-2: not supported.

      • WSE-3: an optional field that must be a comptime-known integer expression.

Example

const rx = @get_color(4);
const tx = @get_color(5);

comptime {
  // associates queue ID 3 with the color rx (4)
  @initialize_queue(@get_input_queue(3), .{ .color = rx });

  // ensures that output queue 5 is properly initialized at startup
  if (@is_arch("wse2")) {
    @initialize_queue(@get_output_queue(5));

  } else if (@is_arch("wse3")) {
    // Associates output queue ID 4 with the color tx (5)
    @initialize_queue(@get_output_queue(4), .{ .color = tx });

    // Associates input queue ID 0 with color rx (4). In addition,
    // it assigns a control task table ID of '4' to this input queue.
    // Control wavelets arriving through this input queue will be
    // directed to a separate control task table which is identified
    // by the `.ctrl_table_id` field.
    @initialize_queue(@get_input_queue(0),
      .{ .color = rx, .ctrl_table_id = 4 });
 }
const rx = @get_color(4);
const rxq = @get_input_queue(3);

comptime {
  // associates the queue rxq (3) with the color rx (4) and high microthread
  // priority
  if (@is_arch("wse2"))
    @initialize_queue(rxq, .{ .color = rx, .priority = .{ .high = true } });
}

Semantics

The @initialize_queue builtin will initialize the input or output queue configuration associated with the input or output queue ID queue respectively.

The builtin can only be called at most once per queue during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

On WSE-2:

If the argument queue is an expression of type output_queue then the builtin must have no more than a single argument (i.e., the queue argument).

If the argument queue is an expression of type input_queue then the config argument must be supplied, and must be a comptime-known struct with fields color (required) and priority (optional).

The color field is required and specifies the routable fabric color to which the input queue with ID queue will be bound.

The priority field is optional and can be used to specify the priority of the microthread that will be attached to the respective input queue with ID queue. See Microthread Priority for more information on microthread priority. The default value is .{ .high = true }.

On WSE-3:

Both input and output queues require both queue and config arguments.

The config comptime-known struct argument must have the color field but not the priority field.

The color field specifies the routable fabric color that the input or output queue with ID queue will be bound to.

The ctrl_table_id field is optional and allowed on input queues only. It can be used to specify an index identifier that represents a per-queue local control task table. What this means is that control wavelets arriving through the input queue with ID queue will be associated with a per-queue local control task table identified by the ctrl_table_id value. The default value is 0.

Multiple input queues can have the same value for ctr_table_id which means that they will be sharing the same control task table. For example, if we never use the ctrl_table_id for any of our input queues then the default behavior is that they will all share the same control task table with ctrl_table_id=0 which is the same behavior as on WSE-2.

@is_arch

Returns true if the current CSL program is being compiled for the given target architecture.

Syntax

@is_arch(an_arch);

Where:

  • an_arch is a comptime-known string value that represents the architecture mnemonic. The available mnemonics are:

    • "wse2": for the WSE-2 architecture

    • "wse3": for the WSE-3 architecture

Example

/// Enable logic that is only valid if we are compiling
/// for the WSE-2 architecture.
if (@is_arch("wse2")) {
  ... WSE-2-specific logic ...
}

@is_comptime

Returns true if this expression is being evaluated as a comptime expression, and false otherwise. (See is_constant_evaluated for the details about the same function in C++).

Syntax

@is_comptime();

Example

fn foo() i32 {
  if (@is_comptime()) {
    // This branch is always comptime.
    return 1;
  } else {
    // This branch is never comptime,
    // so can call an external library,
    // and use architecture primitives.
    return 2;
  }
}

var comptime_result = @as(i32, 0);
var non_comptime_result = @as(i32, 0);
var init_result = foo(); // returns 1

task mytask() void {
  comptime_result = comptime foo(); // returns 1
  non_comptime_result = foo();   // returns 2
}

comptime {
  const comptime_block_result = foo(); // return 1
  ...
}

@is_same_type

Returns true if the two type arguments to this function are the same.

Syntax

@is_same_type(this_type, another_type);

Where:

  • this_type and another_type are values of type type.

Example

param myType: type;

// This function uses the appropriate DSD operation based on the `myType`
// param.
fn mov(dst: mem1d_dsd, src: mem1d_dsd) void {
  if (@is_same_type(myType, f16)) {
    @fmovh(dst, src);
  } else {
    @comptime_assert(@is_same_type(myType, f32));
    @fmovs(dst, src);
  }
}

@map

Given a function, a list of input arguments and an optional output argument, perform a mapping of the input arguments to the output argument (if any) using the provided function.

Syntax

@map(callback, Input...);
@map(callback, Input..., Output);

Where:

  • callback is a function that accepts as many arguments as the number of Input arguments. It may optionally produce a value.

  • Input is a list of zero or more input arguments.

  • Output is an output argument.

Example

const math_lib = @import_module("<math>");
const memDSD = @get_dsd(mem1d_dsd, .{.tensor_access = |i|{size} -> A[i, i]);
const faboutDSD = @get_dsd(fabout_dsd,
                           .{.extent = size, .fabric_color = blue});

task foo() void {
  // Compute the square-root of each element of `memDSD` and
  // send it out to `faboutDSD`.
  @map(math_lib.sqrt_f16, memDSD, faboutDSD);
}

Semantics

The @map builtin requires at least one of its arguments to be a DSD (input or output).

If callback returns a non-void value, the Output argument is mandatory and must be either a DSD or a non-const pointer value whose base-type must match the return type of callback. A fabin_dsd value is not allowed as the Output argument.

The Input arguments may include non-DSD values whose types must be compatible with the corresponding parameter types of callback. A fabout_dsd value is not allowed as an Input argument.

For each DSD argument to @map, the corresponding parameter type or return type of callback must be a DSD compatible type. DSD compatible types are scalar types with a bitwidth that is a multiple of the machine word bitwidth. Currently, these types are: i16, i32, u16, u32, f16, f32.

Execution semantics

The @map builtin repeatedly calls the callback function for each element of the DSD argument(s). Before each call to callback, the next available value from each Input DSD is read and passed to callback while the non-DSD Input arguments are forwarded to callback. The value returned from the callback call - if any - is written back to the Output DSD or to the memory address that is specified by the Output non-const pointer.

After reading or writing a DSD element value the length (or extent for fabric DSDs) of the respective DSD is decremented by one. If the length/extent is zero then the read/write operation fails and the implicit @map loop terminates. If DSD operands have different lengths/extents, it is possible for values to be read and discarded. Similarly, the computed value from callback may be discarded.

@ptrcast

Casts a value of pointer type to a different pointer type.

Syntax

@ptrcast(destination_ptr_type, ptr);

Where:

  • destination_ptr_type is a pointer type.

  • ptr is a value of pointer type.

Semantics

The builtin returns a pointer with the same memory address as ptr, but whose type is destination_ptr_type.

The destination_ptr_type must not be a pointer whose base type is only valid in comptime expressions. See Comptime.

This builtin is not valid in comptime expressions.

Example

const x:u32 = 10;
const new_ptr = @ptrcast(i16*, &x);

@random16

Generates a 16-bit pseudo-random value.

Syntax

@random16();

Semantics

The builtin returns an u16 value, generated through the LFSR algorithm with polynomial \(x^23 + x^18 + 1\). The LFSR state is advanced 128 iterations after every use. The initial state of the algorithm, when the program starts, is set to 0xdeadbeef. The state is not shared between PEs, but it is shared between tasks.

The builtin is not valid in comptime expressions.

Example

const x:u16 = @random16();
const y:i16 = @as(i16, @random16());

@range

Generates a sequence of evenly spaced numbers.

Syntax

@range(elem_type, start, stop, step)
@range(elem_type, stop)

where:

  • elem_type is an integer type.

  • start, stop and step are numeric values.

Examples

@range(i16, 1, 5, 1)       // generates the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4. Note that 5
                           // is not included
@range(i32, 2, -3, 1)      // generates 2, 1, 0, -1, -2
@range(u16, 2, 7, -1)      // empty sequence
@range(comptime_int, 4)    // generates 0, 1, 2, 3

Semantics

The range of elements is defined as follows:

  • start defines the first element of the sequence.

  • step defines how to generate the next element of the sequence given the

    previous element: next = previous + step.

  • stop defines an upper bound on the sequence such that all elements

    in the sequence are strictly less than stop.

start, stop and step are coerced to the type elem_type. If this it not possible, a compilation error is issued.

step != 0 is required. If step > 0 and stop <= start or step < 0 and stop >= start, then the resulting sequence is empty.

The two-argument version of @range is equivalent to the common scenario where start == 0 and step == 1.

@range_start, @range_stop, @range_step

Returns the start, stop or step value of a given range.

Syntax

var r = @range(elem_type, start, stop, step)
var first = @range_start(r);
var last = @range_stop(r);
var inc = @range_step(r);

Examples

const r = @range(i32, 3, 9, 2);
const start = @range_start(r);
// start == 3 of type i32

var stop_arg : u32 = 13;
var r2 = @range(u32, stop_arg);
var stop = @range_stop(r2);
// stop == stop_arg

@rank

Returns the rank (number of dimensions) of the input array type as a u16.

Syntax

@rank(array_type);

Where:

  • array_type is a type defining an array.

Example

const array_type_3d = [3, 5, 7]f16;
const rank = @rank(array_type_3d);
// rank == 3

@set_active_prng

Sets the active PRNG (Pseudo-Random Number Generator).

Syntax

@set_active_prng(prng_id);

Where:

  • prng_id is a 16-bit unsigned integer expression that specifies the PRNG ID to be set.

Semantics

The input integer expression prng_id specifies the active PRNG ID as prng_id % N where N is the total number of PRNGs for the given architecture.

This builtin cannot be evaluated at comptime.

Example

var prng_id: u16 = 2;
@set_active_prng(prng_id);

@set_color_config, @set_local_color_config

Specify the color configuration for a specific color at a specific processing element (PE) from a layout block (@set_color_config) or from a processing element’s top-level comptime block (@set_local_color_config). A color configuration includes routing, switching and filter configurations.

Syntax

@set_color_config(x_coord, y_coord, this_color, config);
@set_local_color_config(this_color, config);

Where:

  • x_coord and y_coord are comptime-known integers indicating the PE coordinates.

  • this_color is a comptime-known expression yielding a color value.

  • config is a comptime-known anonymous struct with the following fields and sub-fields:

    • routes

      • rx

      • tx

      • pop_mode (deprecated, moved to switches field)

      • color_swap_x

      • color_swap_y

    • switches

      • pos1

      • pos2

      • pos3

      • current_switch_pos

      • ring_mode

      • pop_mode

    • filter

    • teardown

Example

color main_color;
color other_color;

layout {
  // Route wavelets of color main_color from west to ramp and east.
  const routes = .{ .rx = .{ WEST }, .tx = .{ RAMP, EAST } };
  @set_color_config(0, 0, main_color, .{ .routes = routes });
}

comptime {
  // Route wavelets of color main_color from west to ramp and east.
  const main_route = .{ .rx = .{ WEST }, .tx = .{ RAMP, EAST } };
  @set_local_color_config(main_color, .{ .routes = main_route });
}

Semantics

Both @set_color_config and @set_local_color_config builtins will set the color configuration - provided by the config field - to the input color value of one or more PEs.

Calls to @set_color_config are only allowed during the evaluation of a layout block. As a result they always refer to a specific PE that is specified by the coordinate fields x_coord and y_coord.

Calls to @set_local_color_config are only allowed during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block that belongs to a specific PE’s code and thus explicit coordinates are not needed as in calls to @set_color_config. However, since one or more PEs may share the same code - and thus the same top-level comptime block - a call to @set_local_color_config may be associated with multiple PEs depending on the rectangle’s PE-to-code mapping defined by calls to the @set_tile_code builtin.

Any two calls to @set_color_config and/or set_local_color_config that refer to the same combination of PE and color are not allowed.

Finally, a color configuration without a routes field is not allowed and will result in an error. That’s because both the switches and filter configurations are not valid without routes. If needed (e.g., for testing), a user can specify an empty routes field as .routes = .{}.

Routing Configuration Semantics

rx and tx

The rx and tx fields specify the receive and transmit route configurations for the given color. In particular, rx specifies the direction(s) (i.e., EAST, WEST, SOUTH, NORTH and RAMP) from which we are expecting to receive data and tx specifies the direction(s) in which we wish to transmit data for the given color. The example above demonstrates how these fields can be used in calls to the @set_color_config and @set_local_color_config builtins. Both rx and tx fields expect comptime-known anonymous structs with nameless fields of unique direction values (e.g., .tx = .{WEST, EAST, NORTH}).

Note that it is only safe to enable multiple input directions for a given color if it is known that wavelets will never arrive from multiple directions on this color at once. If wavelets arrive from two enabled directions on the same color at once, the behavior of the hardware router is undefined.

pop_mode

This field is deprecated as a route setting and therefore it is moved to the switch configuration semantics section,see Switching Configuration Semantics.

color_swap_x and color_swap_y

Both color_swap_x and color_swap_y fields expect a boolean value that indicates whether we want to enable color swapping for the horizontal and vertical direction respectively. More details about color swapping can be found in Color Swapping

Switching Configuration Semantics

pos1, pos2, pos3

The pos1, pos2 and pos3 fields expect an anonymous struct value with only one of the following fields:

  • rx

  • tx

  • invalid

A route configuration for a given color can change dynamically through control wavelets; special wavelets that may carry route configuration instructions. If we consider the rx and tx fields as the initial configuration of the receive and transmit routes respectively, then pos1, pos2 and pos3 are additional configurations we can switch to in-sequence from pos1 to pos3 whenever we receive route-switching control wavelets on the given color. In particular, the first route-switching control wavelet will set the pos1 configuration. The next one will cause an advance to the pos2 configuration and the third will cause an advance to the pos3 configuration. Any additional route-switching control wavelets will either have no effect or go back to the initial configuration (defined by the rx and tx fields) depending on whether the ring_mode field is specified (see next section about the ring_mode. Unlike the top-level rx and tx fields, the ones nested under the pos1, pos2 and pos3 fields (either rx or tx for a given switch position but not both) can only have a single direction value (i.e., EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH or RAMP). In the following example, the call to @set_local_color config builtin will configure routing for color red such that receiving a route-switching control wavelet will change the receive direction to EAST:

const route = .{ .rx = .{ WEST }, .tx = .{ RAMP },
                 .pos1 = .{ .rx = EAST } };
@set_local_color_config(red, route);

The invalid field expects a boolean that must always be true which will indicate that we can never advance to the corresponding switch position and we will either remain on the previous one (if ring_mode is not enabled) or advance back to the original switch position indicated by the top-level rx and tx fields (if ring_mode is enabled). All switch positions will default to .{ .invalid = true }.

pop_mode

The pop_mode field expects an anonymous struct value with only one of the following fields:

  • no_pop

  • always_pop

  • pop_on_advance

Each of these fields expects a boolean that must be true. In other words, the pop_mode field can be viewed as an enum value that can take one of the 4 possible values above. By specifying the pop_mode field in a color configuration we can effectively mutate the sequence of instructions carried by control wavelets as they pass through a PE on a given color. In particular, when we select the no_pop mode the instruction sequence of control wavelets remains as is. If we select the always_pop mode then the first instruction in the sequence is always popped every time a control wavelet arrives and the respective instruction executed. If we select pop_on_advance then the first instruction is popped only if the control wavelet has advanced the route configuration to a new switch position (see section about pos1, pos2 and pos3 fields).

ring_mode

The ring_mode field expects a boolean value. If true then route-switching control wavelets will cause the route configuration to loop-back to the original configuration (specified by the tx and rx fields) once all valid switch positions have been visited (see previous section about pos1, pos2 and pos3 fields). If false then route-switching control wavelets will have no effect on the routing configuration once we reach the last valid switch position. In the following example, if at a given point in time, the route configuration for color red is at switch position 3 (specified by the pos3 field) then receiving a route-switching control wavelet will cause the route configuration for red to loop-back into the initial one specified by fields rx and tx:

const route = .{ .rx = .{ WEST }, .tx = .{ RAMP },
                 .pos3 = .{ .rx = EAST }, .ring_mode = true };
@set_local_color_config(red, route);
current_switch_pos

The current_switch_pos field expects a non-negative integer in the range [0-3] with 0 representing the initial route configuration (specified by the tx and rx fields) and 1, 2 and 3 representing switch positions 1, 2 and 3 respectively specified by pos1, pos2 and pos3 fields. The switch position pointed to by the current_switch_pos field will specify the initial route configuration for the given color.

Filter Configuration Semantics

The filter field expects an anonymous struct value with the following fields:

  • kind

  • count_data

  • count_control

  • init_counter

  • limit1

  • limit2

  • max_counter

  • filter_control

  • max_idx

  • min_idx

The kind field specifies the kind of the filter (or filter mode) which is an anonymous struct value with a single boolean field that is always true. The name of the boolean field represents the filter kind mnemonic which is one of:

  • counter

  • sparse_counter

  • range

The kind field can be viewed as an enum value that can take one of the 3 values above. The kind of the filter will determine the subset of filter fields that are legal for that kind. Lets look at each one of the three possible filter kinds separately.

Counter filter

The legal filter fields for a counter filter are the following:

  • count_data

  • count_control

  • init_counter

  • limit1

  • max_counter

  • filter_control

A counter filter consists of an active wavelet counter that gets incremented every time a wavelet arrives at the given color. We can configure the counter filter so that the active wavelet counter gets incremented for every data wavelet or control wavelet or both. This is done by setting the count_data and/or count_control fields that expect a boolean value where true means that we enable data and control wavelet counting respectively. The default is false for both fields meaning that neither data nor control wavelets will cause the counter to get incremented. We can initialize the active wavelet counter by specifying the init_counter field that expects a non-negative integer value (the default value is zero). The filter counter will get incremented up to a certain value (inclusive) and then get reset to zero. That value is specified by the limit1 field that expects a non-negative integer value that defaults to zero. The counter filter will reject all wavelets whose active counter is greater than a maximum value (exclusive) specified by the max_counter field that expects a non-negative integer value that defaults to zero. Finally, the filter_control field expects a boolean value. If true then only control wavelets that arrive when the value of the active counter is equal to max_counter are allowed to pass. All other wavelets will be rejected by the filter.

In the following example, we set a counter filter for color red so that every 5th data wavelet is rejected:

const filter = .{.kind = .{.counter = true}, .count_data = true,
                 .limit1 = 5, .max_counter = 4};
@set_local_color_config(red, filter);
Sparse counter filter

The legal filter fields for a sparse counter filter are the following:

  • count_data

  • count_control

  • init_counter

  • limit1

  • limit2

  • max_counter

Sparse counter filters are similar to counter filters in that they both rely on an active wavelet counter and the semantics of the count_data, count_control and max_counter fields are identical. The difference is that when the limit2 field is specified then when the active counter reaches the limit1 value (inclusive) then the limit2 value is copied to limit1 before the active counter gets reset back to zero. When this happens limit2 is effectively disabled and won’t be copied to limit1 again. If the wavelet counter reaches limit1 a second time - after limit2 was copied to limit1 - then the filter will no longer filter any wavelets and thus it will be effectively disabled. Both limit1 and limit2 counters expect non-negative integer values that default to zero. However, it is important to note that when limit2 is not specified and the active counter reaches limit1 then no other wavelets are filtered which means that the sparse counter filter is effectively disabled. The same is true when no limit1 value is provided, i.e., the filter is effectively disabled and thus no filtering is done.

Range filter

The legal filter fields for a range filter are the following:

  • max_idx

  • min_idx

When the filter’s kind is set to range then all control wavelets are accepted. However, data wavelets are filtered based on their index value. In particular, a data wavelet will be rejected iff its index value is not within the range [min_idx, max_idx].

Teardown Configuration Semantics

The teardown field expects a comptime-known boolean expression. If true then the color associated with the given configuration will be set to teardown mode when the program starts. This means that all traffic will be suspended on that color until the teardown mode is exited explicitly at runtime through the <tile_config/teardown.csl> standard library API.

While a color is in teardown mode, all the configuration settings can be re-set at runtime using a standard library API. For example, filters can be configured using the <tile_config/filters.csl> standard library API.

@set_config

Write the value of a PE configuration register.

Syntax

@set_config(addr, config_value);

Where:

  • addr is a machine-word-sized unsigned integer expression that represents the word-address of the configuration register.

  • config_value is a machine-word-sized unsigned integer expressions that represents the new configuration value.

Example

comptime {
  // The value '42' will be stored in the configuration address '0x7e00'
  // before the program begins execution.
  @set_config(0x7e00, 42);

  // This call will overwrite the previously set value in the configuration
  // address `0x7e00`.
  const new_value = old_value + 3;
  @set_config(0x7e00, new_value);
}

var addr: u16;
task foo(value: u16) void {
  // Writes 'value' at the configuration address 'addr' at runtime.
  @set_config(addr, value);

  // Re-writes 'value'. The compiler will not optimize away the
  // first write because it is considered volatile.
  @set_config(addr, value);
}

Semantics

The @set_config builtin can be called at runtime and during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

It cannot be evaluated at comptime unless it is during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

If @set_config is encountered during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block then it will store config_value to addr during link time and therefore the configuration value is guaranteed to be present before the program begins execution.

A call to @set_config during top-level comptime evaluation will always overwrite any configuration value that was previously stored at addr.

A call to @set_config at runtime will become a volatile runtime write operation that will store config_value to addr. In that scenario, both config_value and addr expressions don’t have to be comptime-known.

If addr is comptime-known then it must be a comptime-known integer value that falls within the valid configuration address range for the selected target architecture.

In addition, if @set_config is called during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block then it is not allowed to specify an address that falls within a configuration range that is reserved by the compiler. These ranges correspond to the following configurations:

  • All DSRs

  • Filters

  • Basic routing

  • Switches

  • Input queues

  • Task table

Most of the configurations in the list above can be changed through other means (see @set_color_config, @set_local_color_config and @initialize_queue builtins) while the rest are managed automatically by the compiler (i.e., DSRs and task tables).

Both addr and config_value must be coercible to a machine-word-sized unsigned integer expressions regardless of whether they are comptime-known or not.

@set_dsd_base_addr

Set the base-address of a memory DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@set_dsd_length

Set the length of a 1D memory DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@set_dsd_stride

Set the stride of a 1D memory DSD value. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@set_fifo_read_length

Set the read length of a FIFO DSD. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@set_fifo_write_length

Set the write length of a FIFO DSD. See Data Structure Descriptors for details.

@set_rectangle

Specify the size of the rectangular region of processing element that will execute this code.

Syntax

@set_rectangle(width, height);

Where:

  • width and height are comptime integers.

Example

layout {
  // Use just one processing element for running this kernel.
  @set_rectangle(1, 1);
}

Semantics

The @set_rectangle builtin must appear only in a layout block. Additionally, there must be exactly one call to @set_rectangle in a layout block.

@set_teardown_handler

Set a function to be the teardown handler for a given color.

Syntax

@set_teardown_handler(this_func, this_color);

Where:

  • this_func is the name of a function with no input parameters and ‘void’ return type.

  • this_color is a comptime-known expression of type ‘color’.

Example

fn foo() void {
  ...
}
const blue = @get_color(0);

comptime {
  @set_teardown_handler(foo, blue);
}

Semantics

The @set_teardown_handler builtin must appear in a top-level comptime block. When a color goes into teardown mode at runtime, then the function associated with that color, through a call to @set_teardown_handler, will be executed.

The color will not automatically exit from the teardown mode. The user is responsible for exiting teardown mode explicitly from within the respective teardown handler function.

The color that is passed to a @set_teardown_handler call must be within the range of routable colors for the given target architecture.

If there is at least 1 call to @set_teardown_handler in the program then no task is allowed to be bound to the teardown task ID and vice-versa. The teardown task ID is the value returned by the CSL standard library through the teardown API (see teardown).

@set_tile_code

Specify the file that contains instructions to execute on a specific processing element, while optionally initializing parameters defined in the file.

Syntax

@set_tile_code(x_coord, y_coord);
@set_tile_code(x_coord, y_coord, filename);
@set_tile_code(x_coord, y_coord, filename, param_binding);

Where:

  • x_coord and y_coord are comptime integers.

  • filename is a comptime string.

  • param_binding is a comptime anonymous struct.

Example

layout {
  // Specify to the compiler that *this* file contains code for PE #0,0.
  @set_tile_code(0, 0);

  // Inform compiler that code for PE #0,1 is in file "program.csl", relative
  // to the file that contains this `layout` block.
  @set_tile_code(0, 1, "program.csl");

  // Inform compiler about the location of the code using an absolute path.
  @set_tile_code(0, 2, "/var/lib/csl/modules/code.csl");

  // Instruct the compiler to use the file "other.csl" for code for PE #0,3.
  // Also, initialize the parameters `foo` and `bar` in that file.
  @set_tile_code(0, 3, "other.csl", .{ .foo = 10, .bar = -1 });
}

Semantics

The @set_tile_code builtin must appear only in a layout block. Additionally, there must be exactly one call to @set_tile_code for each coordinate contained in the dimensions specified in the call to @set_rectangle. Unless the specified file path is an absolute path, it is interpreted as relative to the path of the file that contains the @set_tile_code() builtin call.

@strcat

Concatenates compile-time strings.

Syntax

@strcat(str1, str2, ..., strN);

where:

  • each argument is an expression of type comptime_string.

Semantics

The @strcat builtin returns a value of comptime_string that results from concatenating its arguments.

Example

@strcat("abc", "123");           // returns "abc123"
@strcat("hello", " ", "world!"); // returns "hello world!"
@strcat("abc");                  // returns "abc"
@strcat("");                     // returns ""
@strcat();                       // returns ""

@strlen

Returns the length of a compile-time string.

Syntax

@strlen(str);

where:

  • str is an expression of type comptime_string.

Semantics

The @strlen builtin returns a value of type comptime_int equal to the length of its argument, i.e., the number of characters in the string.

Example

@strlen("");                                 // returns 0
@strlen("abc123");                           // returns 6
@strlen(if (42 == 42) "abc" else "abc123");  // returns 3

@type_of

Returns the type of an expression.

Syntax

@type_of(any_expression);

where:

  • any_expression is any valid expression.

Semantics

The @type_of builtin returns a value of type type describing the evaluated type of the input expression.

The builtin is always evaluated at compile-time, but the input expression does not need to be comptime.

No code is generated for the input expression; as such, this expression will not have run-time effects on the program.

@unblock

Unblock the task associated with the input color, data_task_id, or local_task_id so that the task can be run when the task identifier is activated.

Syntax

@unblock(id);

Where:

  • id is an expression of type

    • WSE-2: color, data_task_id, or local_task_id.

    • WSE-3: input_queue, data_task_id, local_task_id, or ut_id.

Example

const task_id: local_task_id = @get_local_task_id(10);
comptime {
  @bind_local_task(my_task, task_id);
  @block(task_id);
}

fn foo() void {
  // allow my_task to be run whenever my_task is activated
  @unblock(task_id);
}

@zeros

Initialize a tensor with zeros.

Syntax

@zeros(tensor_type);

Where:

  • tensor_type is a comptime-known numeric tensor type.

Example

// Initialize a tensor of four rows and five columns with all zeros.
const matrix = @zeros([4,5]f16);

Builtins for Supporting Remote Procedure Calls (RPC)

This category includes builtins that enable users to advertise device symbols to the host so that the host can interact with them through wavelets akin to RPC. The advertised symbols could be data or functions forming a host-callable API. In addition, this builtin category includes builtins that allow users to interpret incoming wavelets by associating them with the respective advertised symbols.

@export_name

Declare that a given symbolic name can be advertised from one or more processing elements with a specific type and mutability.

Syntax

@export_name(name, type);
@export_name(name, type, isMutable);

Where:

  • name is an expression of type comptime_string

  • type is an expression of type type

  • isMutable is a comptime-known expression of type bool

Example

layout {
  // Declare that symbolic name "A" can only be advertised
  // with type 'i16' by one or more PEs. The advertised
  // symbol must also be mutable (i.e., declared as 'var').
  @export_name("A", i16, true);

  // Declare that symbol name "foo" can only be advertised
  // as a function with type 'fn(f32)void' by one or more
  // PEs.
  @export_name("foo", fn(f32)void);
}

Semantics

Calls to the @export_name builtin can only appear during the evaluation of a layout block. A given name can only be exported once with @export_name. The third isMutable parameter must be provided unless type is a function type.

The type parameter cannot be a comptime-only type (e.g., comptime_int, comptime_float etc.) with the exception of function types.

In addition, the type parameter cannot be an aggregate type like an array or struct.

The type parameter cannot be an enum type as well.

If type is a function type, then the same rules apply to the respective function parameter types and return type.

If type is a function type, then it can have a maximum of 15 input parameters.

@export_symbol

Advertise a device symbol to the host with a given name, if provided.

Syntax

@export_symbol(symbol);
@export_symbol(symbol, name);

Where:

  • symbol is a reference to a global device symbol.

  • name is an expression of type comptime_string.

Example

var A: i16;
fn bar(a: f32) void {...}

comptime {
  // Advertise symbol 'A' to the host. Since no 'name'
  // is provided, the default name would be the symbol's
  // name, i.e., 'A'.
  @export_symbol(A);

  // Advertise function 'bar' as 'foo' to the host.
  @export_symbol(bar, "foo");
}

Semantics

Calls to the @export_symbol builtin can only appear during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

Its first argument must be a global symbol that is used at least once by code that is not comptime evaluated.

A given symbol can be exported multiple times as long as each time the name argument is provided and it is unique. If name is not provided then the name of the symbol is used as the advertised name instead.

The advertised name (whether it is explicitly provided or defaulted to the symbol’s actual name) must always correspond to a name that was exported during layout evaluation using the @export_name builtin. That is, there must be a name exported with @export_name during layout evaluation that has the same name, type and mutability.

The compiler will collect all exported symbols and advertise them to the host by producing a JSON file containing meta-data for each one. The schema of the produced JSON file is as follows:

{
  "rpc_symbols": [
    {
      "id": "Unique integer identifier for the exported symbol."

      "comment1": "Boolean indicating whether the exported symbol is",
      "comment2": "immutable or not. Not specified for functions."
      "immutable": "True/False",

      "name": "The name that is advertised to the host.",

      "type": "Type of the advertised symbol. Return-type for functions.",

      "kind": "One of Var/Func/Stream.",

      "color": "Integer representing the color of a stream if kind=Stream",

      "inputs": [
         "comment1": "The parameters of the function.",
         "comment2": "Not specified for data.",

         "name": "The name of the function parameter.",

         "type": "The type of the function parameter."
      ]
    }
  ]
}

@get_symbol_id

Returns the unique integer identifier for an advertised symbol.

Syntax

@get_symbol_id(symbol);

Where:

  • symbol is a reference to an advertised global device symbol.

Example

var A: i16;
fn bar(a: f32) void {...}

task main(idx: u16) void {
  // If the incoming wavelet corresponds to the unique integer
  // id for 'A' then use 'A'.
  // If the incoming wavelet corresponds to the unique integer
  // id for 'bar' the call 'bar'.
  if (@get_symbol_id(A) == idx) {
    A = 42;
  } else if (@get_symbol_id(bar) == idx) {
    bar(...);
  }
}

Semantics

The @get_symbol_id builtin can be called at comptime or runtime but it is not allowed to appear during layout evaluation. The input symbol must have been advertised using @export_symbol.

@get_symbol_value

Returns the value of an advertised global symbol given a runtime integer identifier value.

Syntax

@get_symbol_value(type, id);

Where:

  • type an expression of type type.

  • id is a runtime-only integer identifier value.

Example

var A: i16;
var B: i16;

task main(idx: u16) void {
  // Given an integer identifier passed with a wavelet,
  // return the value of 'A' or 'B' depending on the value
  // of 'idx'.
  var value = @get_symbol_value(i16, idx);
  ...
}

Semantics

The @get_symbol_value builtin can only be called at runtime.

If no symbol was advertised with the given integer identifier then the behavior is undefined.

If there is a symbol advertised with the given integer identifier, then the builtin will return a copy of its value.

There has to be at least one global symbol advertised with type type.

@get_tensor_ptr

Returns the value of an exported tensor pointer given a runtime integer identifier value.

Syntax

@get_tensor_ptr(id);

Where:

  • id is a runtime-determined integer identifier value.

Example

var A_ptr: [*]f16 = &A;
var B_ptr: *[size]i32 = &B;

comptime {
  @export_symbol(A_ptr);
  @export_symbol(B_ptr);
}

task main(idx: u16) void {
  // Given an integer identifier passed with a wavelet,
  // return the address of 'A' or 'B' depending on the value
  // of 'idx'.
  var ptr = @get_tensor_ptr(idx);
  ...
}

Semantics

The @get_tensor_ptr builtin can only be called at runtime.

If no tensor pointer has been advertised with the given integer identifier then the behavior is undefined.

If there is a tensor pointer advertised with the given integer identifier, then the builtin will return a copy of the pointer bit-casted into a [*]u16 type.

@has_exported_tensors

Returns true iff there is at least 1 tensor pointer exported and false otherwise.

Syntax

@has_exported_tensors();

Example

task main(idx: u16) void {
  // If there are no exported tensors, the body
  // of the conditional branch will be removed.
  if (@has_exported_tensors()) {
      ...
      var ptr = @get_tensor_ptr(idx);
      ...
  }
}

Semantics

The @has_exported_tensors builtin cannot be called from a top-level comptime block or a layout block.

It is guaranteed to be evaluated at comptime.

It will return true iff there is at least 1 exported tensor pointer and false otherwise.

@rpc

Creates an RPC server listening to a given color.

Syntax

@rpc(task_id);

Where:

  • task_id is an expression of type data_task_id.

Example

const rpc_color = @get_color(22);
const rpc_task_id = @get_data_task_id(rpc_color);

fn foo(a: u16, b: f32) void {...}

comptime {
  @export_symbol(foo);
  // Creates an RPC server listening to color '22' through
  // a wavelet-triggered task bound to data-task ID 'rpc_task_id'.
  // This RPC server can only dispatch calls to 'foo'.
  // Any other RPCs will be ignored.
  @rpc(rpc_task_id);

  // The user needs to ensure that traffic on color '22'
  // is directed into the RPC server.
  @set_local_color_config(rpc_color, .{.routes =
                                     .{.rx = .{WEST},
                                       .tx = .{RAMP}
                                      }});
}

Semantics

The @rpc builtin can only be called during the evaluation of a top-level comptime block.

A call to @rpc will produce a wavelet-triggered task (WTT) that is bound to task_id and would receive data from the underlying routable color. Note that the user is responsible for routing the data through that color such that they are received by the produced WTT.

No other task may be bound to task_id and vice-versa.

The WTT-based RPC server is expected to receive sequences of wavelets. Each one of these sequences corresponds to a single RPC that consists of a unique integer identifier corresponding to an exported function along with its input arguments.

If the input arguments of an RPC do not match the expected number of arguments for a given exported function, a runtime assertion is triggered.

If the unique integer identifier of an RPC does not match any exported function, the call will be ignored and the server will be ready for the next RPC sequence.

If the function called by the RPC server returns a value, then this value will be ignored.

No more than 1 call to @rpc is allowed for a given tile code which means that we can always have up to 1 RPC server per PE.

Builtins for DSD Operations

These builtins perform bulk operations on a set of elements described by DSDs, by exploiting native hardware instructions. The destination operand is always the first argument, and the subsequent arguments are either DSDs, scalars, or pointers.

Additionally, many of these builtins have a SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) mode. For more information, see SIMD Mode.

Syntax

For the DSD operation builtins below, the arguments are labeled as follows:

  • dest_dsd, src_dsd1, and src_dsd2 are constants or variables created using the @get_dsd builtin or the get_dsr builtin.

  • dest_dsd is the destination DSD or DSR. If this is a DSR value it must be of type dsr_dest or dsr_src0.

  • src_dsd1 and src_dsd2 are source DSDs or DSRs or any combination of them. If any of the source operands are DSRs then they cannot be of type dsr_dest.

  • i16_value is a value of type i16.

  • i32_value is a value of type i32.

  • u16_value is a value of type u16.

  • u32_value is a value of type u32.

  • f16_value is a value of type f16.

  • f32_value is a value of type f32.

  • i16_pointer is a pointer to a value of type i16.

  • i32_pointer is a pointer to a value of type i32.

  • u16_pointer is a pointer to a value of type u16.

  • u32_pointer is a pointer to a value of type u32.

  • f16_pointer is a pointer to a value of type f16.

  • f32_pointer is a pointer to a value of type f32.

@add16

Add two 16-bit integers.

@add16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@add16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@add16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@add16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@add16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@addc16

Add two 16-bit integers, with carry.

@addc16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@addc16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@addc16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@addc16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@addc16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@and16

Bitwise-and two 16-bit integers.

@and16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@and16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@and16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@and16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@and16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@clz

Count leading zeros.

// count leading zeros
@clz(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@clz(dest_dsd, i16_value);
@clz(dest_dsd, u16_value);

@ctz

Count trailing zeros.

// count trailing zeros
@ctz(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@ctz(dest_dsd, i16_value);
@ctz(dest_dsd, u16_value);

@fabsh

Absolute value of a 16-bit floating point.

@fabsh(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fabsh(dest_dsd, f16_value);

@fabss

Absolute value of a 32-bit floating point.

@fabss(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fabss(dest_dsd, f32_value);

@faddh

Add two 16-bit floating point values.

@faddh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@faddh(dest_dsd,    f16_value, src_dsd1);
@faddh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f16_value);
@faddh(f16_pointer, f16_value, src_dsd1);

@faddhs

Add a 16-bit and 32-bit floating point value.

@faddhs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@faddhs(dest_dsd,    f16_value, src_dsd1);
@faddhs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f16_value);
@faddhs(f32_pointer, f32_value, src_dsd1);

@fadds

Add two 32-bit floating point values.

@fadds(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fadds(dest_dsd,    f32_value, src_dsd1);
@fadds(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f32_value);
@fadds(f32_pointer, f32_value, src_dsd1);

@fh2s

Convert a 16-bit floating point value to a 32-bit floating point value.

@fh2s(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fh2s(dest_dsd, f16_value);

@fh2xp16

Convert a 16-bit floating point value to a 16-bit integer.

@fh2xp16(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@fh2xp16(dest_dsd,    f16_value);
@fh2xp16(i16_pointer, f16_value);

@fmach

16-bit floating point multiply-add.

@fmach(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, src_dsd2, f16_value);

@fmachs

16-bit floating point multiply with 32-bit addition.

@fmachs(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, src_dsd2, f16_value);

@fmacs

32-bit floating point multiply-add.

@fmacs(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, src_dsd2, f32_value);

@fmaxh

16-bit floating point max.

@fmaxh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fmaxh(dest_dsd,    f16_value, src_dsd1);
@fmaxh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f16_value);
@fmaxh(f16_pointer, f16_value, src_dsd1);

@fmaxs

32-bit floating point max.

@fmaxs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fmaxs(dest_dsd,    f32_value, src_dsd1);
@fmaxs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f32_value);
@fmaxs(f32_pointer, f32_value, src_dsd1);

@fmovh

Move a 16-bit floating point value.

@fmovh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@fmovh(f16_pointer, src_dsd1);
@fmovh(dest_dsd,    f16_value);

@fmovs

Move a 32-bit floating point value.

@fmovs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@fmovs(f32_pointer, src_dsd1)
@fmovs(dest_dsd,    f32_value);

@fmulh

Multiply 16-bit floating point values.

@fmulh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fmulh(dest_dsd,    f16_value, src_dsd1);
@fmulh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f16_value);
@fmulh(f16_pointer, f16_value, src_dsd1);

@fmuls

Multiply 32-bit floating point values.

@fmuls(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fmuls(dest_dsd,    f32_value, src_dsd1);
@fmuls(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f32_value);
@fmuls(f32_pointer, f32_value, src_dsd1);

@fnegh

Negate a 16-bit floating point value.

@fnegh(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fnegh(dest_dsd, f16_value);

@fnegs

Negate a 32-bit floating point value.

@fnegs(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fnegs(dest_dsd, f32_value);

@fnormh

Normalize a 16-bit floating point value.

@fnormh(f16_pointer, f16_value);

@fnorms

Normalize a 32-bit floating point value.

@fnorms(f32_pointer, f32_value);

@fs2h

Convert a 32-bit floating point value to a 16-bit floating point value.

@fs2h(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@fs2h(dest_dsd, f32_value);

@fs2xp16

Convert a 32-bit floating point value to a 32-bit integer.

@fs2xp16(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@fs2xp16(dest_dsd,    f32_value);
@fs2xp16(i16_pointer, f32_value);

@fscaleh

16-bit floating point multiplied by a constant.

@fscaleh(f16_pointer, f16_value, i16_value);

@fscales

32-bit floating point multiplied by a constant.

@fscales(f32_pointer, f32_value, i16_value);

@fsubh

Subtract two 16-bit floating point values.

@fsubh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fsubh(dest_dsd,    f16_value, src_dsd1);
@fsubh(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f16_value);
@fsubh(f16_pointer, f16_value, src_dsd1);

@fsubs

Subtract two 32-bit floating point values.

@fsubs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@fsubs(dest_dsd,    f32_value, src_dsd1);
@fsubs(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1,  f32_value);
@fsubs(f32_pointer, f32_value, src_dsd1);

@mov16

Move a 16-bit integer.

@mov16(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@mov16(i16_pointer, src_dsd1);
@mov16(u16_pointer, src_dsd1);
@mov16(dest_dsd,    i16_value);
@mov16(dest_dsd,    u16_value);

@mov32

Move a 32-bit integer.

@mov32(dest_dsd,    src_dsd1);
@mov32(i32_pointer, src_dsd1);
@mov32(u32_pointer, src_dsd1);
@mov32(dest_dsd,    i32_value);
@mov32(dest_dsd,    u32_value);

@or16

Bitwise-or on two 16-bit integers.

@or16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@or16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@or16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@or16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@or16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@popcnt

Population count of an integer.

@popcnt(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@popcnt(dest_dsd, i16_value);
@popcnt(dest_dsd, u16_value);

@sar16

Arithmetic shift right of a 16-bit integer.

@sar16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@sar16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@sar16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@sar16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@sar16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@sll16

Logical shift left of a 16-bit integer.

@sll16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@sll16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@sll16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@sll16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@sll16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@slr16

Logical shift right of a 16-bit integer.

@slr16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@slr16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@slr16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@slr16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@slr16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@sub16

Substract two 16-bit integers.

@sub16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, src_dsd2);
@sub16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, i16_value);
@sub16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1, u16_value);

@xor16

Xor two 16-bit integers.

@xor16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  src_dsd2);
@xor16(dest_dsd, i16_value, src_dsd1);
@xor16(dest_dsd, u16_value, src_dsd1);
@xor16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  i16_value);
@xor16(dest_dsd, src_dsd1,  u16_value);

@xp162fh

Convert a 16-bit integer into a 16-bit floating point value.

@xp162fh(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@xp162fh(dest_dsd, i16_value);
@xp162fh(dest_dsd, u16_value);

@xp162fs

Convert a 16-bit integer into a 32-bit floating point value.

@xp162fs(dest_dsd, src_dsd1);
@xp162fs(dest_dsd, i16_value);
@xp162fs(dest_dsd, u16_value);

Example

var tensor = [5]i16 {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
const dsd = @get_dsd(mem1d_dsd, .{ .tensor_access = |i|{5} -> tensor[i] });

fn foo() void {
  // Add the constant 10 to each element of `tensor`.
  // After executing this operation, `tensor` contains 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
  @add16(dsd, dsd, 10);
}

@dfilt

Instructs an input queue to drop all data wavelets until a certain number of control wavelets are encountered.

Syntax

@dfilt(dsd, configuration);

Where:

  • dsd is a fabin_dsd or DSR that contains a fabin_DSD.
    • If a DSR is used, it must have type dsr_src1 and be loaded with the async configuration (see Data Structure Registers). Behavior is undefined if @dfilt is used with a DSR that does not meet these conditions.

  • configuration is the configuration struct that is optionally provided to other DSD operations (see Data Structure Descriptors).

Semantics

The first argument to @dfilt must be a fabin_dsd or a DSR representing an ‘async’ fabin_dsd. A call to @dfilt will drop data wavelets arriving on the input queue associated with the input DSD. The extent of the DSD determines the number of control wavelets the operation expects. The input queue will drop all data wavelets until the specified number of control wavelets is encountered.

Unlike other DSD operations, the configuration struct is required, and the async configuration must be true. @dfilt does not support the on_control or index configurations.

Example

var dsd = @get_dsd(fabin_dsd, .{ .fabric_color = 2, .extent = 10,
                                 .input_queue = @get_input_queue(1) });

fn foo() void {
   // Executing this operation causes input queue 1 to drop data wavelets
   // until 10 control wavelets have been encountered.
   @dfilt(dsd, .{ .async = true });
}

Internal Builtins

CSL also provides a small number of Cerebras-internal builtins primitives that are used by CSL libraries. They are listed here for completeness, and may change between compiler versions and architectures without notice.

@_cs_fdivsh(f16_ptr, f16_numerator, f16_denominator);
@_cs_fdivss(f32_ptr, f32_numerator, f32_denominator);