comptime value-params

LANGUAGE.md

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ roadmap and milestone history.
 ### functions, C interop, and linking
 
 - demand-monomorphized Brolang and C-ABI functions
+- integer comptime value parameters such as `make_array func($N usize) [N]u8`, specialized by value and omitted from the runtime ABI
 - bodyful `c_func` definitions and bodyless `c_func` declarations with exact external symbol names
 - concrete-only C signatures, C variadic declarations/calls, and C default argument promotions
 - Apple Silicon C ABI lowering for scalars, pointers, fixed-signature plain records/unions, small aggregates, homogeneous float aggregates, and indirect aggregate returns
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ roadmap and milestone history.
 
 ## PLANNED / DEFERRED
 
-- comptime polymorphism
+- comptime type parameters and comptime-evaluable functions
 - tuples and native Brolang variadic functions
 - exporting Brolang functions to C and broader target-specific C ABI lowering
 - non-plain C record layouts such as bitfields, packed records, flexible arrays, qualified fields, and C variadic record arguments

README.md

@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ Current prototype features:
 - Plain imported C structs/unions, fixed arrays, and C function pointer typedefs, including keyed literals, field access, callbacks, and Apple Silicon by-value ABI lowering
 - Qualified imported globals and functions with package-aware symbol mangling
 - Demand-monomorphized Brolang and C-ABI functions
+- Integer comptime value parameters (`func($N usize) [N]u8`) specialized by value
 - Bodyless concrete C function declarations with exact external symbol names
 - Bodyless manual and imported C variadic declarations with default argument promotions
 - Ordered linking of additional C sources, objects, archives, and libraries

TODO.md

@@ -630,11 +630,23 @@
   - imports beginning with `@` resolve from the compiler process cwd / project root
   - `heap :: import "@std/mem/heap"` works from any package depth without `../../../` path math
 
-27. comptime polymorphism (zig inspired)
+27. comptime integer value parameters (implemented; v1)
+  - `$N` marks an integer comptime parameter in a normal `func` signature:
+    `make_array func($N usize) [N]u8`
+  - callers pass a compile-time integer expression; the value specializes the function
+    and is omitted from the runtime ABI
+  - inside the specialization, `N` is visible as an immutable compile-time integer in
+    array counts, types, and body expressions
+  - v1 intentionally supports integer values only; no comptime branch pruning or
+    user-function execution
 
-28. comptime execution
+27.5 comptime type parameters (deferred)
+  - planned shape: `max func($T type, a, b T) T`
 
-29. brolang build system (requires comptime execution)
+27.6 comptime-evaluable constants/functions (deferred)
+  - planned shape: `$x :: 32` and `$sum func(a, b int) int { ... }`
+
+28. brolang build system (requires comptime execution)
 
 ## A word on multi-unwrap
 
@@ -1221,6 +1233,15 @@ data :: read_file(path) catch |e| match e {
 | `yield :label value` | Provide value from labeled block |
 | `return` / `return value` | Exit the current function; in fallible functions, return value dispatches by type |
 
+## A word on comptime
+
+```
+make_array func($N usize) [N]u8 { ... }  # implemented: integer comptime value params
+max func($T type, a, b T) T { ... }      # deferred: comptime type params
+$x :: 32                                 # deferred: comptime evaluable constant
+$sum func(a, b int) int { ... }          # deferred: comptime evaluable function
+```
+
 ## A word on memory allocation
 
 (NOTE THAT SYNTAX MAY NOT MATCH BROLANG EXACTLY AND SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH A GRAIN OF SALT - INSPIRATION ONLY)

compiler/ast/ast.odin

@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ Param :: struct {
 	name: symbol.Id,
 	span: source.Span,
 	type: Type_Syntax,
+	comptime_value: bool,
 }
 
 Stmt_Kind :: enum u8 {

compiler/checker/checker.odin

@@ -28,10 +28,17 @@ spec_index :: proc(id: Spec_Id, count: int) -> (int, bool) {
 Spec :: struct {
 	template: ast.Function_Id,
 	args:     []types.Type,
+	comptime_values: []Comptime_Value,
 	result:   types.Type,
 	hir_id:   hir.Function_Id,
 }
 
+Comptime_Value :: struct {
+	name:  symbol.Id,
+	type:  types.Type,
+	value: i128,
+}
+
 Infer_Local :: struct {
 	name:      symbol.Id,
 	type:      types.Type,
@@ -169,6 +176,7 @@ Checker :: struct {
 	sink_symbol:          symbol.Id,
 	current_result:       types.Type,
 	current_build_ctx:    ^Build_Ctx,
+	current_comptime_values: []Comptime_Value,
 	target:               target.Target,
 	allocator:            mem.Allocator,
 }
@@ -187,6 +195,61 @@ type_label :: proc(checker: ^Checker, value: types.Type) -> string {
 	return types.name(value)
 }
 
+find_comptime_value :: proc(values: []Comptime_Value, name: symbol.Id) -> (Comptime_Value, bool) {
+	for index := len(values) - 1; index >= 0; index -= 1 {
+		if values[index].name == name {
+			return values[index], true
+		}
+	}
+	return {}, false
+}
+
+current_comptime_value :: proc(checker: ^Checker, name: symbol.Id) -> (Comptime_Value, bool) {
+	return find_comptime_value(checker.current_comptime_values, name)
+}
+
+function_has_comptime_params :: proc(function: ast.Function) -> bool {
+	for param in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+runtime_param_count :: proc(function: ast.Function) -> int {
+	count := 0
+	for param in function.params {
+		if !param.comptime_value {
+			count += 1
+		}
+	}
+	return count
+}
+
+comptime_param_count :: proc(function: ast.Function) -> int {
+	count := 0
+	for param in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			count += 1
+		}
+	}
+	return count
+}
+
+comptime_values_equal :: proc(left, right: []Comptime_Value) -> bool {
+	if len(left) != len(right) {
+		return false
+	}
+	for value, index in left {
+		other := right[index]
+		if value.name != other.name || !types.equal(value.type, other.type) || value.value != other.value {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
 Constant_Frame :: struct {
 	expr:  ast.Expr_Id,
 	stage: u8,
@@ -311,6 +374,11 @@ eval_integer_constant_in_context :: proc(
 	case .Integer:
 		return Constant{kind = .Value, value = i128(expr.integer)}
 	case .Name:
+		if !symbol.is_valid(expr.qualifier) {
+			if value, ok := current_comptime_value(checker, expr.name); ok {
+				return Constant{kind = .Value, value = value.value}
+			}
+		}
 		target_pkg, available := expr_package(checker, expr, pkg, file, false)
 		if !available {
 			return Constant{kind = .Not_Constant}
@@ -767,7 +835,8 @@ function_signatures_equal :: proc(left, right: ast.Function) -> bool {
 		return false
 	}
 	for param, index in left.params {
-		if param.type != right.params[index].type {
+		if param.type != right.params[index].type ||
+		   param.comptime_value != right.params[index].comptime_value {
 			return false
 		}
 	}
@@ -792,6 +861,79 @@ call_arg_expected :: proc(checker: ^Checker, function: ast.Function, index: int)
 	return declared
 }
 
+collect_comptime_values :: proc(
+	checker: ^Checker,
+	function: ast.Function,
+	args: []ast.Expr_Id,
+	pkg: ast.Package_Id,
+	file: ast.File_Id,
+	diagnose := false,
+) -> ([]Comptime_Value, bool) {
+	if !function_has_comptime_params(function) {
+		return nil, true
+	}
+	values: [dynamic]Comptime_Value
+	values.allocator = checker.allocator
+	ok := true
+	for param, index in function.params {
+		if !param.comptime_value {
+			continue
+		}
+		span := param.span
+		if index < len(args) && args[index] != ast.INVALID_EXPR && int(args[index]) < len(checker.ast_module.exprs) {
+			span = checker.ast_module.exprs[args[index]].span
+		}
+		declared := type_from_syntax(checker, param.type, function.pkg, function.file)
+		if !types.is_concrete_integer(declared) {
+			if diagnose {
+				source.addf(
+					checker.diagnostics,
+					param.span,
+					"comptime parameter '%s' requires a concrete integer type",
+					symbol_text(checker, param.name),
+				)
+			}
+			ok = false
+			continue
+		}
+		constant := Constant{kind = .Not_Constant}
+		if index < len(args) {
+			constant = eval_integer_constant_in_context(checker, args[index], pkg, file)
+		}
+		if constant.kind != .Value {
+			if diagnose {
+				source.addf(
+					checker.diagnostics,
+					span,
+					"argument for comptime parameter '%s' must be a compile-time integer expression",
+					symbol_text(checker, param.name),
+				)
+			}
+			ok = false
+			continue
+		}
+		if !fits_integer_type(constant.value, declared, checker.target) {
+			if diagnose {
+				source.addf(
+					checker.diagnostics,
+					span,
+					"integer constant %d does not fit in %s",
+					constant.value,
+					types.name(declared),
+				)
+			}
+			ok = false
+			continue
+		}
+		append(&values, Comptime_Value{name=param.name, type=declared, value=constant.value})
+	}
+	if !ok {
+		delete(values)
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	return values[:], true
+}
+
 callable_arg_expected :: proc(function_type: types.Type, function_item: types.Node, store: ^types.Store, index: int) -> types.Type {
 	if index < 0 || index >= int(function_item.field_count) {
 		return types.INVALID
@@ -818,6 +960,9 @@ function_value_signature :: proc(
 	if !function.c_abi || types.is_valid(function.error) {
 		return nil, types.INVALID, false
 	}
+	if function_has_comptime_params(function) {
+		return nil, types.INVALID, false
+	}
 	result = type_from_syntax(checker, function.result, function.pkg, function.file)
 	if !types.is_void(result) && !is_runtime_type(checker, result) {
 		return nil, types.INVALID, false
@@ -1027,13 +1172,33 @@ validate_declarations :: proc(checker: ^Checker) {
 		if len(function.unsupported_reason) > 0 {
 			continue
 		}
+		has_comptime := function_has_comptime_params(function)
 		locals: [dynamic]symbol.Id
 		locals.allocator = checker.allocator
 		for param in function.params {
-			if diagnostic := add_unsupported_type_diagnostic(checker, param.span, type_from_syntax(checker, param.type, function.pkg, function.file));
-			   diagnostic != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
-				checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = diagnostic
-				continue
+			param_type := type_from_syntax(checker, param.type, function.pkg, function.file)
+			if param.comptime_value {
+				if function.c_abi {
+					checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = source.add(
+						checker.diagnostics,
+						param.span,
+						"comptime parameters require 'func', not 'c_func'",
+					)
+				}
+				if !types.is_concrete_integer(param_type) {
+					checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = source.addf(
+						checker.diagnostics,
+						param.span,
+						"comptime parameter '%s' requires a concrete integer type",
+						symbol_text(checker, param.name),
+					)
+				}
+			} else if !has_comptime {
+				if diagnostic := add_unsupported_type_diagnostic(checker, param.span, param_type);
+				   diagnostic != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
+					checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = diagnostic
+					continue
+				}
 			}
 			if param.type == types.VOID {
 				source.add(
@@ -1051,7 +1216,7 @@ validate_declarations :: proc(checker: ^Checker) {
 				)
 			}
 			append(&locals, param.name)
-			if types.contains_c_struct_by_value(type_from_syntax(checker, param.type, function.pkg, function.file), &checker.module.types) {
+			if !has_comptime && types.contains_c_struct_by_value(param_type, &checker.module.types) {
 				checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = source.addf(
 					checker.diagnostics,
 					param.span,
@@ -1060,17 +1225,20 @@ validate_declarations :: proc(checker: ^Checker) {
 				)
 			}
 		}
-		if diagnostic := add_unsupported_type_diagnostic(checker, function.span, type_from_syntax(checker, function.result, function.pkg, function.file));
-		   diagnostic != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
-			checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = diagnostic
-		}
-		if types.contains_c_struct_by_value(type_from_syntax(checker, function.result, function.pkg, function.file), &checker.module.types) {
-			checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = source.addf(
-				checker.diagnostics,
-				function.span,
-				"C records cannot be returned by value from '%s'",
-				symbol_text(checker, function.name),
-			)
+		if !has_comptime {
+			result_type := type_from_syntax(checker, function.result, function.pkg, function.file)
+			if diagnostic := add_unsupported_type_diagnostic(checker, function.span, result_type);
+			   diagnostic != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
+				checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = diagnostic
+			}
+			if types.contains_c_struct_by_value(result_type, &checker.module.types) {
+				checker.template_diagnostics[function_id] = source.addf(
+					checker.diagnostics,
+					function.span,
+					"C records cannot be returned by value from '%s'",
+					symbol_text(checker, function.name),
+				)
+			}
 		}
 		if types.is_valid(function.error) {
 			error_type := type_from_syntax(checker, function.error, function.pkg, function.file)
@@ -1298,23 +1466,38 @@ find_infer_local_index :: proc(locals: []Infer_Local, name: symbol.Id) -> (int,
 	return -1, false
 }
 
-find_spec :: proc(checker: ^Checker, template: ast.Function_Id, actual_args: []types.Type) -> Spec_Id {
+find_spec :: proc(
+	checker: ^Checker,
+	template: ast.Function_Id,
+	actual_args: []types.Type,
+	comptime_values: []Comptime_Value = nil,
+) -> Spec_Id {
 	function := checker.ast_module.functions[template]
 	for spec, index in checker.specs {
-		if spec.template != template || len(spec.args) != len(function.params) {
+		if spec.template != template || len(spec.args) != runtime_param_count(function) ||
+		   !comptime_values_equal(spec.comptime_values, comptime_values) {
 			continue
 		}
 		matches := true
+		runtime_index := 0
+		previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+		checker.current_comptime_values = comptime_values
 		for param, param_index in function.params {
+			if param.comptime_value {
+				continue
+			}
 			actual := types.INVALID
 			if param_index < len(actual_args) {
 				actual = actual_args[param_index]
 			}
-			if !types.equal(spec.args[param_index], specialized_param_type(checker, param.type, actual, function.pkg, function.file)) {
+			if runtime_index >= len(spec.args) ||
+			   !types.equal(spec.args[runtime_index], specialized_param_type(checker, param.type, actual, function.pkg, function.file)) {
 				matches = false
 				break
 			}
+			runtime_index += 1
 		}
+		checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
 		if matches {
 			return spec_id(index)
 		}
@@ -1340,8 +1523,19 @@ specialized_param_type :: proc(
 	return declared
 }
 
-can_specialize :: proc(checker: ^Checker, function: ast.Function, actual_args: []types.Type) -> bool {
+can_specialize :: proc(
+	checker: ^Checker,
+	function: ast.Function,
+	actual_args: []types.Type,
+	comptime_values: []Comptime_Value = nil,
+) -> bool {
+	previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+	checker.current_comptime_values = comptime_values
+	defer checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
 	for param, index in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			continue
+		}
 		actual := types.INVALID
 		if index < len(actual_args) {
 			actual = actual_args[index]
@@ -1353,20 +1547,34 @@ can_specialize :: proc(checker: ^Checker, function: ast.Function, actual_args: [
 	return true
 }
 
-ensure_spec :: proc(checker: ^Checker, template: ast.Function_Id, actual_args: []types.Type) -> Spec_Id {
-	if existing := find_spec(checker, template, actual_args); existing != INVALID_SPEC {
+ensure_spec :: proc(
+	checker: ^Checker,
+	template: ast.Function_Id,
+	actual_args: []types.Type,
+	comptime_values: []Comptime_Value = nil,
+) -> Spec_Id {
+	if existing := find_spec(checker, template, actual_args, comptime_values); existing != INVALID_SPEC {
 		return existing
 	}
 	function := checker.ast_module.functions[template]
+	previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+	checker.current_comptime_values = comptime_values
+	defer checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
 	signature: [dynamic]types.Type
 	signature.allocator = checker.allocator
 	for param, index in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			continue
+		}
 		actual := types.INVALID
 		if index < len(actual_args) {
 			actual = actual_args[index]
 		}
 		append(&signature, specialized_param_type(checker, param.type, actual, function.pkg, function.file))
 	}
+	comptime_signature: [dynamic]Comptime_Value
+	comptime_signature.allocator = checker.allocator
+	append(&comptime_signature, ..comptime_values)
 	result := function_channel_type(checker, function)
 	if function.pkg == 0 && function.name == checker.main_symbol && function.result == types.INT &&
 	   !types.is_valid(function.error) {
@@ -1375,7 +1583,13 @@ ensure_spec :: proc(checker: ^Checker, template: ast.Function_Id, actual_args: [
 	index := spec_id(len(checker.specs))
 	append(
 		&checker.specs,
-		Spec{template = template, args = signature[:], result = result, hir_id = hir.INVALID_FUNCTION},
+		Spec{
+			template = template,
+			args = signature[:],
+			comptime_values = comptime_signature[:],
+			result = result,
+			hir_id = hir.INVALID_FUNCTION,
+		},
 	)
 	return index
 }
@@ -1662,6 +1876,13 @@ infer_expr :: proc(
 						}
 					}
 				}
+				if !types.is_valid(last) {
+					if !symbol.is_valid(expr.qualifier) {
+						if value, ok := current_comptime_value(checker, expr.name); ok {
+							last = value.type
+						}
+					}
+				}
 				if !types.is_valid(last) {
 					if enum_type, enum_ok := enum_type_from_name_expr(checker, expr, pkg, file); enum_ok {
 						_, member_ok := find_enum_member(checker, enum_type, expr.name)
@@ -1859,13 +2080,16 @@ infer_expr :: proc(
 					}
 				}
 			}
+			comptime_values, comptime_ok := collect_comptime_values(checker, function, expr.args, pkg, file)
+			defer delete(comptime_values, checker.allocator)
 			if valid_call_arity(function, len(expr.args)) &&
-			   can_specialize(checker, function, stack[frame_index].args) {
+			   comptime_ok &&
+			   can_specialize(checker, function, stack[frame_index].args, comptime_values) {
 				spec := INVALID_SPEC
 				if demanded == nil {
-					spec = ensure_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].args)
+					spec = ensure_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].args, comptime_values)
 				} else {
-					spec = find_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].args)
+					spec = find_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].args, comptime_values)
 					mark_spec_demanded(checker, spec, demanded)
 				}
 				if spec != INVALID_SPEC {
@@ -2252,6 +2476,9 @@ infer_spec_locals_and_result :: proc(
 ) -> ([]types.Type, types.Type) {
 	spec := checker.specs[id]
 	function := checker.ast_module.functions[spec.template]
+	previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+	checker.current_comptime_values = spec.comptime_values
+	defer checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
 	declared := type_from_syntax(checker, function.result, function.pkg, function.file)
 	if function.pkg == 0 && function.name == checker.main_symbol && function.result == types.INT {
 		declared = types.I32
@@ -2262,12 +2489,17 @@ infer_spec_locals_and_result :: proc(
 	locals.allocator = checker.allocator
 	defer delete(locals)
 	local_types := make([]types.Type, len(checker.ast_module.statements), checker.allocator)
+	runtime_index := 0
 	for param, index in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			continue
+		}
 		param_type := types.INVALID
-		if index < len(spec.args) {
-			param_type = spec.args[index]
+		if runtime_index < len(spec.args) {
+			param_type = spec.args[runtime_index]
 		}
 		append(&locals, Infer_Local{name=param.name, type=param_type, declared=param_type, statement=ast.INVALID_STMT})
+		runtime_index += 1
 	}
 
 	result := types.INVALID
@@ -2716,6 +2948,7 @@ prune_specs :: proc(checker: ^Checker) {
 	for spec in checker.specs {
 		if spec.hir_id == hir.INVALID_FUNCTION {
 			delete(spec.args, checker.allocator)
+			delete(spec.comptime_values, checker.allocator)
 			continue
 		}
 		checker.specs[retained] = spec
@@ -4090,6 +4323,22 @@ build_expr :: proc(
 						})
 					}
 				}
+				if last == hir.INVALID_EXPR {
+					if !symbol.is_valid(expr.qualifier) {
+						if value, ok := current_comptime_value(checker, expr.name); ok {
+							expected_type := value.type
+							if types.is_concrete_integer(frame.expected) || types.is_float(frame.expected, checker.target) {
+								expected_type = frame.expected
+							}
+							last = build_constant_expr(
+								checker,
+								expr,
+								Constant{kind=.Value, value=value.value},
+								expected_type,
+							)
+						}
+					}
+				}
 				if last == hir.INVALID_EXPR {
 					if enum_type, enum_ok := enum_type_from_name_expr(checker, expr, pkg, file); enum_ok {
 						last = enum_member_hir(checker, enum_type, expr.name, expr.span)
@@ -4340,14 +4589,22 @@ build_expr :: proc(
 					continue
 				}
 			}
+			function := checker.ast_module.functions[frame.template]
+			comptime_values, comptime_ok := collect_comptime_values(checker, function, expr.args, pkg, file, diagnose=true)
+			defer delete(comptime_values, checker.allocator)
 			arg_violation := source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC
-			{
-				params := checker.ast_module.functions[frame.template].params
+			if comptime_ok {
+				previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+				checker.current_comptime_values = comptime_values
+				params := function.params
 				for index in 0..<len(params) {
 					if index >= len(stack[frame_index].arg_types) {
 						break
 					}
-					declared := type_from_syntax(checker, params[index].type, checker.ast_module.functions[frame.template].pkg, checker.ast_module.functions[frame.template].file)
+					if params[index].comptime_value {
+						continue
+					}
+					declared := type_from_syntax(checker, params[index].type, function.pkg, function.file)
 					actual := stack[frame_index].arg_types[index]
 					if types.is_constraint(declared) && types.is_valid(actual) &&
 					   !types.is_valid(types.constraint_target(declared, actual, &checker.module.types)) {
@@ -4360,14 +4617,22 @@ build_expr :: proc(
 						break
 					}
 				}
+				checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
+			}
+			spec := INVALID_SPEC
+			if comptime_ok {
+				spec = find_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].arg_types, comptime_values)
 			}
-			spec := find_spec(checker, frame.template, stack[frame_index].arg_types)
 			delete(stack[frame_index].arg_types, checker.allocator)
 			stack[frame_index].arg_types = nil
-			if arg_violation != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
+			if !comptime_ok || arg_violation != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
 				delete(stack[frame_index].built_args, checker.allocator)
 				stack[frame_index].built_args = nil
-				last = invalid_hir_expr(checker, expr.span, arg_violation)
+				diagnostic := arg_violation
+				if diagnostic == source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC {
+					diagnostic = source.add(checker.diagnostics, expr.span, "invalid comptime argument")
+				}
+				last = invalid_hir_expr(checker, expr.span, diagnostic)
 				_ = pop(&stack)
 				continue
 			}
@@ -4384,23 +4649,35 @@ build_expr :: proc(
 				_ = pop(&stack)
 				continue
 			}
-			fixed_count := len(checker.ast_module.functions[frame.template].params)
-			for index in 0..<fixed_count {
-				stack[frame_index].built_args[index] = coerce_expr(
+			source_args := stack[frame_index].built_args
+			runtime_count := runtime_param_count(function)
+			runtime_arg_count := runtime_count + max(0, len(source_args)-len(function.params))
+			runtime_args := make([]hir.Expr_Id, runtime_arg_count, checker.allocator)
+			runtime_index := 0
+			for param, source_index in function.params {
+				if param.comptime_value {
+					continue
+				}
+				arg := source_args[source_index]
+				runtime_args[runtime_index] = coerce_expr(
 					checker,
-					stack[frame_index].built_args[index],
-					checker.specs[spec].args[index],
-					checker.module.exprs[stack[frame_index].built_args[index]].span,
+					arg,
+					checker.specs[spec].args[runtime_index],
+					checker.module.exprs[arg].span,
 				)
+				runtime_index += 1
 			}
-			for index in fixed_count..<len(stack[frame_index].built_args) {
-				arg := stack[frame_index].built_args[index]
-				stack[frame_index].built_args[index] = promote_c_vararg_expr(
+			for source_index in len(function.params)..<len(source_args) {
+				arg := source_args[source_index]
+				runtime_args[runtime_index] = promote_c_vararg_expr(
 					checker,
 					arg,
 					checker.module.exprs[arg].span,
 				)
+				runtime_index += 1
 			}
+			delete(stack[frame_index].built_args, checker.allocator)
+			stack[frame_index].built_args = nil
 			function_id := checker.specs[spec].hir_id
 			assert(function_id != hir.INVALID_FUNCTION)
 			add_unique_function(calls, function_id)
@@ -4412,15 +4689,13 @@ build_expr :: proc(
 					"could not resolve result type for specialization of '%s'",
 					symbol_text(checker, expr.name),
 				)
-				delete(stack[frame_index].built_args, checker.allocator)
-				stack[frame_index].built_args = nil
+				delete(runtime_args, checker.allocator)
 				last = invalid_hir_expr(checker, expr.span, id)
 			} else {
 				last = add_hir_expr(checker, hir.Expr{
 					kind=.Call, span=expr.span, type=result, target=hir.function_ref(function_id),
-					left = hir.INVALID_EXPR, right = hir.INVALID_EXPR, args=stack[frame_index].built_args, diagnostic = source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC,
+					left = hir.INVALID_EXPR, right = hir.INVALID_EXPR, args=runtime_args, diagnostic = source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC,
 				})
-				stack[frame_index].built_args = nil
 			}
 			_ = pop(&stack)
 		}
@@ -4568,6 +4843,15 @@ make_link_name :: proc(checker: ^Checker, id: Spec_Id) -> string {
 			strings.write_string(&builder, types.name(arg))
 		}
 	}
+	for value in spec.comptime_values {
+		strings.write_string(&builder, "__cv")
+		if value.value < 0 {
+			strings.write_string(&builder, "n")
+			fmt.sbprintf(&builder, "%d", -value.value)
+		} else {
+			fmt.sbprintf(&builder, "%d", value.value)
+		}
+	}
 	return fmt.aprintf("%s", strings.to_string(builder), allocator = checker.allocator)
 }
 
@@ -4860,6 +5144,21 @@ build_block :: proc(
 				}
 				continue
 			}
+			if _, is_comptime := current_comptime_value(checker, statement.name); is_comptime {
+				id := source.addf(
+					checker.diagnostics,
+					statement.span,
+					"cannot assign comptime parameter '%s'",
+					symbol_text(checker, statement.name),
+				)
+				append(&body, hir.stmt_id(len(checker.module.statements)))
+				append(&checker.module.statements, hir.Stmt{
+					kind = .Trap, span = statement.span, expr = hir.INVALID_EXPR,
+					local = hir.INVALID_LOCAL, diagnostic = id,
+				})
+				ctx.problematic^ = true
+				continue
+			}
 			local, found := find_build_local(ctx.locals^[:], statement.name)
 			if !found {
 				id := source.addf(checker.diagnostics, statement.span, "cannot assign unresolved local '%s'", symbol_text(checker, statement.name))
@@ -6901,6 +7200,9 @@ all_paths_exit :: proc(module: ^hir.Module, stmts: []hir.Stmt_Id) -> bool {
 build_function :: proc(checker: ^Checker, id: Spec_Id) {
 	spec := checker.specs[id]
 	function := checker.ast_module.functions[spec.template]
+	previous_comptime := checker.current_comptime_values
+	checker.current_comptime_values = spec.comptime_values
+	defer checker.current_comptime_values = previous_comptime
 	signature_diagnostic := source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC
 	if !types.is_void(spec.result) && !is_runtime_type(checker, spec.result) {
 		checker.specs[id].result = types.I64
@@ -6945,15 +7247,20 @@ build_function :: proc(checker: ^Checker, id: Spec_Id) {
 		delete(demanded)
 	}
 
-	for param, index in function.params {
+	runtime_index := 0
+	for param in function.params {
+		if param.comptime_value {
+			continue
+		}
 		local_id := hir.local_id(len(hir_locals))
 		param_type := types.INVALID
-		if index < len(spec.args) {
-			param_type = spec.args[index]
+		if runtime_index < len(spec.args) {
+			param_type = spec.args[runtime_index]
 		}
 		append(&hir_locals, hir.Local{name = param.name, type = param_type, parameter = true})
 		append(&locals, Build_Local{name = param.name, type = param_type, id = local_id})
 		append(&params, local_id)
+		runtime_index += 1
 	}
 
 	problematic := signature_diagnostic != source.INVALID_DIAGNOSTIC ||
@@ -7526,6 +7833,7 @@ check :: proc(
 	defer {
 		for spec in checker.specs {
 			delete(spec.args, allocator)
+			delete(spec.comptime_values, allocator)
 		}
 		delete(checker.specs)
 		delete(checker.function_index, allocator)

compiler/lexer/lexer.odin

@@ -201,6 +201,9 @@ lex :: proc(
 		case '@':
 			append_token(&stream, source_file, .At, cursor, cursor+1)
 			cursor += 1
+		case '$':
+			append_token(&stream, source_file, .Dollar, cursor, cursor+1)
+			cursor += 1
 		case '*':
 			start := cursor
 			cursor += 1

compiler/parser/parser.odin

@@ -1577,6 +1577,7 @@ parse_params :: proc(parser: ^Parser) -> ([]ast.Param, bool) {
 			}
 			continue
 		}
+		_, comptime_value := allow(parser, .Dollar)
 		names: [dynamic]token.Token
 		names.allocator = parser.module.allocator
 		for {
@@ -1596,7 +1597,12 @@ parse_params :: proc(parser: ^Parser) -> ([]ast.Param, bool) {
 		}
 		type_syntax := parse_type(parser)
 		for name in names {
-			append(&params, ast.Param{name=name.symbol, span=name.span, type=type_syntax})
+			append(&params, ast.Param{
+				name=name.symbol,
+				span=name.span,
+				type=type_syntax,
+				comptime_value=comptime_value,
+			})
 		}
 		delete(names)
 		skip_newlines(parser)

compiler/token/token.odin

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ Kind :: enum u8 {
 	Range_Inclusive,
 	Ellipsis,
 	At,
+	Dollar,
 	Star,
 	Ampersand,
 	Caret,

compiler_tests.odin

@@ -175,6 +175,35 @@ main func() void {}
 	testing.expect_value(t, len(module.functions[0].params), 2)
 }
 
+@(test)
+parser_accepts_comptime_value_params :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
+	text := `make func($N usize, value i32) i32 {
+	return value
+}
+main func() void {}
+`
+	source_file := source.Source{path="test.bro", text=text}
+	diagnostics := source.init_diagnostics(&source_file)
+	defer source.destroy_diagnostics(&diagnostics)
+	symbols := symbol.init_table()
+	defer symbol.destroy_table(&symbols)
+	stream := lexer.lex(&source_file, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer delete(stream.items)
+	module := parser.parse(&stream, &source_file, &diagnostics)
+	defer ast.destroy_module(&module)
+
+	found_dollar := false
+	for tok in stream.items {
+		found_dollar = found_dollar || tok.kind == token.Kind.Dollar
+	}
+
+	testing.expect_value(t, len(diagnostics.items), 0)
+	testing.expect(t, found_dollar)
+	testing.expect_value(t, len(module.functions[0].params), 2)
+	testing.expect(t, module.functions[0].params[0].comptime_value)
+	testing.expect(t, !module.functions[0].params[1].comptime_value)
+}
+
 @(test)
 parser_accepts_sentinel_many_item_pointer_types :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
 	text := `zero func(value [*;0]u8) void {}
@@ -1945,6 +1974,116 @@ main func() i32 {
 	}
 }
 
+@(test)
+comptime_value_params_specialize_by_value_and_omit_runtime_args :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
+	text := `make_array func($N usize) [N]u8 {
+	data [N]u8 = undefined
+	return data
+}
+main func() void {
+	four [4]u8 :: make_array(4)
+	eight [8]u8 :: make_array(8)
+	again [4]u8 :: make_array(4)
+	_ = four
+	_ = eight
+	_ = again
+}
+`
+	source_file := source.Source{path="test.bro", text=text}
+	diagnostics := source.init_diagnostics(&source_file)
+	defer source.destroy_diagnostics(&diagnostics)
+	symbols := symbol.init_table()
+	defer symbol.destroy_table(&symbols)
+	stream := lexer.lex(&source_file, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer delete(stream.items)
+	ast_module := parser.parse(&stream, &source_file, &diagnostics)
+	defer ast.destroy_module(&ast_module)
+	hir_module := checker.check(&ast_module, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer hir.destroy_module(&hir_module)
+	ir_module := lower.lower(&hir_module)
+	defer ir.destroy_module(&ir_module)
+	llvm_text := llvm.emit(&ir_module, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer delete(llvm_text)
+
+	make_specs := 0
+	for function in hir_module.functions {
+		if symbol.resolve(&symbols, function.name) == "make_array" {
+			make_specs += 1
+			testing.expect_value(t, len(function.params), 0)
+		}
+	}
+
+	testing.expect_value(t, len(diagnostics.items), 0)
+	testing.expect_value(t, make_specs, 2)
+	testing.expect(t, strings.contains(llvm_text, "@bro__p0__make_array__cv4"))
+	testing.expect(t, strings.contains(llvm_text, "@bro__p0__make_array__cv8"))
+}
+
+@(test)
+comptime_value_params_diagnose_invalid_uses :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
+	text := `make func($N usize) i32 {
+	return N
+}
+tiny func($N u8) i32 {
+	return N
+}
+bad_type func($T bool) void {}
+bad_use func($N usize) void {
+	N = 1
+	_ = &N
+}
+main func() void {
+	x usize = 4
+	_ = make(x)
+	_ = make()
+	_ = make(1, 2)
+	_ = make(-1)
+	_ = tiny(300)
+	bad_use(4)
+}
+`
+	source_file := source.Source{path="test.bro", text=text}
+	diagnostics := source.init_diagnostics(&source_file)
+	defer source.destroy_diagnostics(&diagnostics)
+	symbols := symbol.init_table()
+	defer symbol.destroy_table(&symbols)
+	stream := lexer.lex(&source_file, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer delete(stream.items)
+	ast_module := parser.parse(&stream, &source_file, &diagnostics)
+	defer ast.destroy_module(&ast_module)
+	hir_module := checker.check(&ast_module, &diagnostics, &symbols)
+	defer hir.destroy_module(&hir_module)
+
+	found_runtime_arg := false
+	found_missing := false
+	found_extra := false
+	found_negative := false
+	found_range := false
+	found_bad_type := false
+	found_assignment := false
+	found_address := false
+	for diagnostic in diagnostics.items {
+		message := diagnostic.message
+		found_runtime_arg = found_runtime_arg || strings.contains(message, "must be a compile-time integer expression")
+		found_missing = found_missing || strings.contains(message, "expects 1 arguments, got 0")
+		found_extra = found_extra || strings.contains(message, "expects 1 arguments, got 2")
+		found_negative = found_negative || strings.contains(message, "integer constant -1 does not fit in usize")
+		found_range = found_range || strings.contains(message, "integer constant 300 does not fit in u8")
+		found_bad_type = found_bad_type || strings.contains(message, "requires a concrete integer type")
+		found_assignment = found_assignment || strings.contains(message, "cannot assign comptime parameter 'N'")
+		found_address = found_address || strings.contains(message, "'&' requires an addressable location")
+	}
+
+	testing.expect(t, found_runtime_arg)
+	testing.expect(t, found_missing)
+	testing.expect(t, found_extra)
+	testing.expect(t, found_negative)
+	testing.expect(t, found_range)
+	testing.expect(t, found_bad_type)
+	testing.expect(t, found_assignment)
+	testing.expect(t, found_address)
+}
+
 @(test)
 unused_function_signatures_are_validated_eagerly :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
 	text := `broken func(value, value i8, nope void) void {}
@@ -5305,6 +5444,16 @@ cross_package_generic_specializes_from_folded_argument :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
 	testing.expect_value(t, state.exit_code, 128)
 }
 
+@(test)
+comptime_value_params_compile_and_run :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
+	output := "/tmp/brolang-test-comptime-value-params"
+	defer _ = os.remove(output)
+	status := compiler_core.compile_package("examples/programs/comptime_value_params", output)
+	testing.expect_value(t, status, 0)
+	state := run_executable(output)
+	testing.expect_value(t, state.exit_code, 0)
+}
+
 @(test)
 lazy_function_body_marks_import_as_used_without_resolving_it :: proc(t: ^testing.T) {
 	output := "/tmp/brolang-test-package-lazy-import"

examples/programs/comptime_value_params/main.bro

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+make_array func($N usize) [N]u8 {
+	data [N]u8 = undefined
+	return data
+}
+
+value func($N usize) usize {
+	return N
+}
+
+main func() i32 {
+	four [4]u8 :: make_array(4)
+	if four.len != 4 {
+		return 1
+	}
+	if value(4) != 4 {
+		return 2
+	}
+
+	eight [8]u8 :: make_array(8)
+	if eight.len != 8 {
+		return 3
+	}
+	if value(8) != 8 {
+		return 4
+	}
+
+	again [4]u8 :: make_array(4)
+	if again.len != 4 {
+		return 5
+	}
+	return 0
+}