7.5 Static expression functions

The aspect Static is introduced by Static expression functions (AI12-0075) (see RM 6.8). It can only be applied to an expression function, and requests that it be regarded as a static function.

When called in a context that requires a static expression, the actual parameters of the expression function need to be static. For example, if we declare:

function If_Then_Else (Flag : Boolean; X, Y : Integer) return Integer is
(if Flag then X else Y) with Static;

and then attempt to declare:

V : Integer := 10;
X : constant := If_Then_Else (True, 37, V); -- Error.

we get an error at compile time since V is not a static expression.

Predefined shifts and rotates should be static (AI12-0385) applies this new aspect Static to the predefined shift and rotate functions of package Interfaces.