c29fb2e57e
TypeTree support in autodiff
# TypeTrees for Autodiff
## What are TypeTrees?
Memory layout descriptors for Enzyme. Tell Enzyme exactly how types are structured in memory so it can compute derivatives efficiently.
## Structure
```rust
TypeTree(Vec<Type>)
Type {
offset: isize, // byte offset (-1 = everywhere)
size: usize, // size in bytes
kind: Kind, // Float, Integer, Pointer, etc.
child: TypeTree // nested structure
}
```
## Example: `fn compute(x: &f32, data: &[f32]) -> f32`
**Input 0: `x: &f32`**
```rust
TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 8, kind: Pointer,
child: TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 4, kind: Float,
child: TypeTree::new()
}])
}])
```
**Input 1: `data: &[f32]`**
```rust
TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 8, kind: Pointer,
child: TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 4, kind: Float, // -1 = all elements
child: TypeTree::new()
}])
}])
```
**Output: `f32`**
```rust
TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 4, kind: Float,
child: TypeTree::new()
}])
```
## Why Needed?
- Enzyme can't deduce complex type layouts from LLVM IR
- Prevents slow memory pattern analysis
- Enables correct derivative computation for nested structures
- Tells Enzyme which bytes are differentiable vs metadata
## What Enzyme Does With This Information:
Without TypeTrees (current state):
```llvm
; Enzyme sees generic LLVM IR:
define float ``@distance(ptr*`` %p1, ptr* %p2) {
; Has to guess what these pointers point to
; Slow analysis of all memory operations
; May miss optimization opportunities
}
```
With TypeTrees (our implementation):
```llvm
define "enzyme_type"="{[]:Float@float}" float ``@distance(``
ptr "enzyme_type"="{[]:Pointer}" %p1,
ptr "enzyme_type"="{[]:Pointer}" %p2
) {
; Enzyme knows exact type layout
; Can generate efficient derivative code directly
}
```
# TypeTrees - Offset and -1 Explained
## Type Structure
```rust
Type {
offset: isize, // WHERE this type starts
size: usize, // HOW BIG this type is
kind: Kind, // WHAT KIND of data (Float, Int, Pointer)
child: TypeTree // WHAT'S INSIDE (for pointers/containers)
}
```
## Offset Values
### Regular Offset (0, 4, 8, etc.)
**Specific byte position within a structure**
```rust
struct Point {
x: f32, // offset 0, size 4
y: f32, // offset 4, size 4
id: i32, // offset 8, size 4
}
```
TypeTree for `&Point` (internal representation):
```rust
TypeTree(vec![
Type { offset: 0, size: 4, kind: Float }, // x at byte 0
Type { offset: 4, size: 4, kind: Float }, // y at byte 4
Type { offset: 8, size: 4, kind: Integer } // id at byte 8
])
```
Generates LLVM:
```llvm
"enzyme_type"="{[]:Float@float}"
```
### Offset -1 (Special: "Everywhere")
**Means "this pattern repeats for ALL elements"**
#### Example 1: Array `[f32; 100]`
```rust
TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, // ALL positions
size: 4, // each f32 is 4 bytes
kind: Float, // every element is float
}])
```
Instead of listing 100 separate Types with offsets `0,4,8,12...396`
#### Example 2: Slice `&[i32]`
```rust
// Pointer to slice data
TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 8, kind: Pointer,
child: TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, // ALL slice elements
size: 4, // each i32 is 4 bytes
kind: Integer
}])
}])
```
#### Example 3: Mixed Structure
```rust
struct Container {
header: i64, // offset 0
data: [f32; 1000], // offset 8, but elements use -1
}
```
```rust
TypeTree(vec![
Type { offset: 0, size: 8, kind: Integer }, // header
Type { offset: 8, size: 4000, kind: Pointer,
child: TypeTree(vec![Type {
offset: -1, size: 4, kind: Float // ALL array elements
}])
}
])
```
The codegen crate contains the code to convert from MIR into LLVM IR,
and then from LLVM IR into machine code. In general it contains code
that runs towards the end of the compilation process.
For more information about how codegen works, see the rustc dev guide.