Parse comments between tokens

[normand.git] / README.adoc

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:py3: Python{nbsp}3

= Normand
Philippe Proulx

image::normand-logo.png[]

[.normal]
image:https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/normand.svg?label=Latest%20version[link="https://pypi.python.org/pypi/normand"]

[.lead]
_**Normand**_ is a text-to-binary processor with its own language.

This package offers both a portable {py3} module and a command-line
tool.

WARNING: This version of Normand is 0.20, meaning both the Normand
language and the module/CLI interface aren't stable.

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== Introduction

The purpose of Normand is to consume human-readable text representing
bytes and to produce the corresponding binary data.

.Simple bytes input.
====
Consider the following Normand input:

----
4f 55 32 bb $167 fe %10100111 a9 $-32
----

The generated nine bytes are:

----
4f 55 32 bb a7 fe a7 a9  e0
----
====

As you can see in the last example, the fundamental unit of the Normand
language is the _byte_. The order in which you list bytes will be the
order of the generated data.

The Normand language is more than simple lists of bytes, though. Its
main features are:

Comments, including a bunch of insignificant symbols which may improve readability::
+
Input:
+
----
ff bb %1101:0010 # This is a comment
78 29 af $192 # This too # 99 $-80
fe80::6257:18ff:fea3:4229
60:57:18:a3:42:29
10839636-5d65-4a68-8e6a-21608ddf7258
----
+
Output:
+
----
ff bb d2 78 29 af c0 99  b0 fe 80 62 57 18 ff fe
a3 42 29 60 57 18 a3 42  29 10 83 96 36 5d 65 4a
68 8e 6a 21 60 8d df 72  58
----

Hexadecimal, decimal, and binary byte constants::
+
Input:
+
----
aa bb $247 $-89 %0011_0010 %11.01= 10/10
----
+
Output:
+
----
aa bb f7 a7 32 da
----

Strings::
+
Input:
+
----
"hello world!" 00
u16le"stress\nverdict 🤣"
s:latin3{hex(ICITTE)}
----
+
Output:
+
----
68 65 6c 6c 6f 20 77 6f  72 6c 64 21 00 73 00 74  ┆ hello world!•s•t
00 72 00 65 00 73 00 73  00 0a 00 76 00 65 00 72  ┆ •r•e•s•s•••v•e•r
00 64 00 69 00 63 00 74  00 20 00 3e d8 23 dd 30  ┆ •d•i•c•t• •>•#•0
78 32 66                                          ┆ x2f
----

Labels: special variables holding the offset where they're defined::
+
----
<beg> b2 52 e3 bc 91 05
$100 $50 <chair> 33 9f fe
25 e9 89 8a <end>
----

Variables::
+
----
5e 65 {tower = 47} c6 7f f2 c4
44 {hurl = tower - 14} b5 {tower = hurl} 26 2d
----
+
The value of a variable assignment is the evaluation of a valid {py3}
expression which may include label and variable names.

Fixed-length number with a given length (8{nbsp}bits to 64{nbsp}bits) and byte order::
+
Input:
+
----
{strength = 4}
{be} 67 <lbl> 44 $178 {(end - lbl) * 8 + strength : 16} $99 <end>
{le} {-1993 : 32}
{-3.141593 : 64}
----
+
Output:
+
----
67 44 b2 00 2c 63 37 f8  ff ff 7f bd c2 82 fb 21
09 c0
----
+
The encoded number is the evaluation of a valid {py3} expression which
may include label and variable names.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEB128[LEB128] integer::
+
Input:
+
----
aa bb cc {-1993 : sleb128} <meow> dd ee ff
{meow * 199 : uleb128}
----
+
Output:
+
----
aa bb cc b7 70 dd ee ff e3 07
----
+
The encoded integer is the evaluation of a valid {py3} expression which
may include label and variable names.

Conditional::
+
Input:
+
----
aa bb cc

(
  "foo"

  !if {ICITTE > 10}
    "bar"
  !else
    "fight"
  !end
) * 4
----
+
Output:
+
----
aa bb cc 66 6f 6f 66 69  67 68 74 66 6f 6f 66 69  ┆ •••foofightfoofi
67 68 74 66 6f 6f 62 61  72 66 6f 6f 62 61 72     ┆ ghtfoobarfoobar
----

Repetition::
+
Input:
+
----
aa bb * 5 cc <zoom> "yeah\0" * {zoom * 3}

!repeat 3
  ff ee "juice"
!end
----
+
Output:
+
----
aa bb bb bb bb bb cc 79  65 61 68 00 79 65 61 68  ┆ •••••••yeah•yeah
00 79 65 61 68 00 79 65  61 68 00 79 65 61 68 00  ┆ •yeah•yeah•yeah•
79 65 61 68 00 79 65 61  68 00 79 65 61 68 00 79  ┆ yeah•yeah•yeah•y
65 61 68 00 79 65 61 68  00 79 65 61 68 00 79 65  ┆ eah•yeah•yeah•ye
61 68 00 79 65 61 68 00  79 65 61 68 00 79 65 61  ┆ ah•yeah•yeah•yea
68 00 79 65 61 68 00 79  65 61 68 00 79 65 61 68  ┆ h•yeah•yeah•yeah
00 79 65 61 68 00 79 65  61 68 00 79 65 61 68 00  ┆ •yeah•yeah•yeah•
ff ee 6a 75 69 63 65 ff  ee 6a 75 69 63 65 ff ee  ┆ ••juice••juice••
6a 75 69 63 65                                    ┆ juice
----

Alignment::
+
Input:
+
----
{be}

        {199:32}
@64     {43:64}
@16     {-123:16}
@32~255 {5584:32}
----
+
Output:
+
----
00 00 00 c7 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 2b
ff 85 ff ff 00 00 15 d0
----

Filling::
+
Input:
+
----
{le}
{0xdeadbeef:32}
{-1993:16}
{9:16}
+0x40
{ICITTE:8}
"meow mix"
+200~FFh
{ICITTE:8}
----
+
Output:
+
----
ef be ad de 37 f8 09 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••7•••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
40 6d 65 6f 77 20 6d 69  78 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ @meow mix•••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff  c8                       ┆ •••••••••
----

Multilevel grouping::
+
Input:
+
----
ff ((aa bb "zoom" cc) * 5) * 3 $-34 * 4
----
+
Output:
+
----
ff aa bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc  aa bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa  ┆ •••zoom•••zoom••
bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa bb  7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa bb 7a  ┆ •zoom•••zoom•••z
6f 6f 6d cc aa bb 7a 6f  6f 6d cc aa bb 7a 6f 6f  ┆ oom•••zoom•••zoo
6d cc aa bb 7a 6f 6f 6d  cc aa bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc  ┆ m•••zoom•••zoom•
aa bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa  bb 7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa bb  ┆ ••zoom•••zoom•••
7a 6f 6f 6d cc aa bb 7a  6f 6f 6d cc aa bb 7a 6f  ┆ zoom•••zoom•••zo
6f 6d cc aa bb 7a 6f 6f  6d cc de de de de        ┆ om•••zoom•••••
----

Macros::
+
Input:
+
----
!macro hello(world)
  "hello"
  !if world " world" !end
!end

!repeat 17
  ff ff ff ff
  m:hello({ICITTE > 15 and ICITTE < 60})
!end
----
+
Output:
+
----
ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c  6f ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c  ┆ ••••hello••••hel
6c 6f ff ff ff ff 68 65  6c 6c 6f 20 77 6f 72 6c  ┆ lo••••hello worl
64 ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c  6c 6f 20 77 6f 72 6c 64  ┆ d••••hello world
ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c  6f 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 ff  ┆ ••••hello world•
ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c 6f  ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c  ┆ •••hello••••hell
6f ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c  6c 6f ff ff ff ff 68 65  ┆ o••••hello••••he
6c 6c 6f ff ff ff ff 68  65 6c 6c 6f ff ff ff ff  ┆ llo••••hello••••
68 65 6c 6c 6f ff ff ff  ff 68 65 6c 6c 6f ff ff  ┆ hello••••hello••
ff ff 68 65 6c 6c 6f ff  ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c 6f  ┆ ••hello••••hello
ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c 6c  6f ff ff ff ff 68 65 6c  ┆ ••••hello••••hel
6c 6f ff ff ff ff 68 65  6c 6c 6f                 ┆ lo••••hello
----

Precise error reporting::
+
----
/tmp/meow.normand:10:24 - Expecting a bit (`0` or `1`).
----
+
----
/tmp/meow.normand:32:6 - Unexpected character `k`.
----
+
----
/tmp/meow.normand:24:19 - Illegal (unknown or unreachable) variable/label name `meow` in expression `(meow - 45) // 8`; the legal names are {`ICITTE`, `mix`, `zoom`}.
----
+
----
/tmp/meow.normand:32:19 - While expanding the macro `meow`:
/tmp/meow.normand:35:5 - While expanding the macro `zzz`:
/tmp/meow.normand:18:9 - Value 315 is outside the 8-bit range when evaluating expression `end - ICITTE`.
----

You can use Normand to track data source files in your favorite VCS
instead of raw binary files. The binary files that Normand generates can
be used to test file format decoding, including malformatted data, for
example, as well as for education.

See <<learn-normand>> to explore all the Normand features.

== Install Normand

Normand requires Python ≥ 3.4.

To install Normand:

----
$ python3 -m pip install --user normand
----

See
https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/tutorials/installing-packages/#installing-to-the-user-site[Installing to the User Site]
to learn more about a user site installation.

[NOTE]
====
Normand has a single module file, `normand.py`, which you can copy as is
to your project to use it (both the <<python3-api,`normand.parse()`>>
function and the <<command-line-tool,command-line tool>>).

`normand.py` has _no external dependencies_, but if you're using
Python{nbsp}3.4, you'll need a local copy of the standard `typing`
module.
====

== Design goals

The design goals of Normand are:

Portability::
    We're making sure `normand.py` works with Python{nbsp}≥{nbsp}3.4 and
    doesn't have any external dependencies so that you may just copy the
    module as is to your own project.

Ease of use::
    The most basic Normand input is a sequence of hexadecimal constants
    (for example, `4e6f726d616e64`) which produce exactly what you'd
    expect.
+
Most Normand features map to programming language concepts you already
know and understand: constant integers, literal strings, variables,
conditionals, repetitions/loops, and the rest.

Concise and readable input::
    We could have chosen XML or YAML as the input format, but having a
    DSL here makes a Normand input compact and easy to read, two
    important traits when using Normand to write tests, for example.
+
Compare the following Normand input and some hypothetical XML
equivalent, for example:
+
.Actual normand input.
----
ff dd 01 ab $192 $-128 %1101:0011

{end:8}

{iter = 1}

!if {not something}
  # five times because xyz
  !repeat 5
    "hello world " {iter:8}
    {iter = iter + 1}
  !end
!end

<end>
----
+
.Hypothetical Normand XML input.
[source,xml]
----
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<group>
  <byte base="x" val="ff" />
  <byte base="x" val="dd" />
  <byte base="x" val="1" />
  <byte base="x" val="ab" />
  <byte base="d" val="192" />
  <byte base="d" val="-128" />
  <byte base="b" val="11010011" />
  <fixed-len-num expr="end" len="8" />
  <var-assign name="iter" expr="1" />
  <cond expr="not something">
    <!-- five times because xyz -->
    <repeat expr="5">
      <str>hello world </str>
      <fixed-len-num expr="iter" len="8" />
      <var-assign name="iter" expr="iter + 1" />
    </repeat>
  </cond>
  <label name="end" />
</group>
----

== Learn Normand

A Normand text input is a sequence of items which represent a sequence
of raw bytes.

[[state]] During the processing of items to data, Normand relies on a
current state:

[%header%autowidth]
|===
|State variable |Description |Initial value: <<python3-api,{py3} API>> |Initial value: <<command-line-tool,CLI>>

|[[cur-offset]] Current offset
|
The current offset has an effect on the value of <<label,labels>> and of
the special `ICITTE` name in <<fixed-length-number,fixed-length
number>>, <<leb-128-integer,LEB128 integer>>, <<string,string>>,
<<filling,filling>>, <<variable-assignment,variable assignment>>,
<<conditional-block,conditional block>>, <<repetition-block,repetition
block>>, <<macro-expansion,macro expansion>>, and
<<post-item-repetition,post-item repetition>> expression evaluation.

Each generated byte increments the current offset.

A <<current-offset-setting,current offset setting>> may change the
current offset without generating data.

An <<current-offset-alignment,current offset alignment>> generates
padding bytes to make the current offset satisfy a given alignment.
|`init_offset` parameter of the `parse()` function.
|`--offset` option.

|[[cur-bo]] Current byte order
|
The current byte order has an effect on the encoding of
<<fixed-length-number,fixed-length numbers>>.

A <<current-byte-order-setting,current byte order setting>> may change
the current byte order.
|`init_byte_order` parameter of the `parse()` function.
|`--byte-order` option.

|<<label,Labels>>
|Mapping of label names to integral values.
|`init_labels` parameter of the `parse()` function.
|One or more `--label` options.

|<<variable-assignment,Variables>>
|Mapping of variable names to integral or floating point number values.
|`init_variables` parameter of the `parse()` function.
|One or more `--var` or `--var-str` options.
|===

The available items are:

* A <<byte-constant,constant integer>> representing one or more
  constant bytes.

* A <<literal-string,literal string>> representing a constant sequence
  of bytes encoding UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-32, or Latin-1 to Latin-10 data.

* A <<current-byte-order-setting,current byte order setting>> (big or
  little endian).

* A <<fixed-length-number,fixed-length number>> (integer or
  floating point) using the <<cur-bo,current byte order>> and of which
  the value is the result of a {py3} expression.

* An <<leb128-integer,LEB128 integer>> of which the value is the result
  of a {py3} expression.

* A <<string,string>> representing a sequence of bytes encoding UTF-8,
  UTF-16, UTF-32, or Latin-1 to Latin-10 data, and of which the value is
  the result of a {py3} expression.

* A <<current-offset-setting,current offset setting>>.

* A <<current-offset-alignment,current offset alignment>>.

* A <<filling,filling>>.

* A <<label,label>>, that is, a named constant holding the current
  offset.
+
This is similar to an assembly label.

* A <<variable-assignment,variable assignment>> associating a name to
  the integral result of an evaluated {py3} expression.

* A <<group,group>>, that is, a scoped sequence of items.

* A <<conditional-block,conditional block>>.

* A <<repetition-block,repetition block>>.

* A <<macro-definition-block,macro definition block>>.

* A <<macro-expansion,macro expansion>>.

Moreover, you can repeat many items above a constant or variable number
of times with the ``pass:[*]`` operator _after_ the item to repeat. This
is called a <<post-item-repetition,post-item repetition>>.

A Normand comment may exist pretty much anywhere between tokens.

A comment is anything between two ``pass:[#]`` characters on the same
line, or from ``pass:[#]`` until the end of the line. Whitespaces are
also considered comments. The following symbols are also considered
comments around and between items, as well as between hexadecimal
nibbles and binary bits of <<byte-constant,byte constants>>:

----
/ \ ? & : ; . , [ ] _ = | -
----

The latter serve to improve readability so that you may write, for
example, a MAC address or a UUID as is.

[[const-int]] Many items require a _constant integer_, possibly
negative, in which case it may start with `-` for a negative integer. A
positive constant integer is any of:

Decimal::
    One or mode digits (`0` to `9`).

Hexadecimal::
    One of:
+
* The `0x` or `0X` prefix followed with one or more hexadecimal digits
  (`0` to `9`, `a` to `f`, or `A` to `F`).
* One or more hexadecimal digits followed with the `h` or `H` suffix.

Octal::
    One of:
+
* The `0o` or `0O` prefix followed with one or more octal digits
  (`0` to `7`).
* One or more octal digits followed with the `o`, `O`, `q`, or `Q`
  suffix.

Binary::
    One of:
+
* The `0b` or `0B` prefix followed with one or more bits (`0` or `1`).
* One or more bits followed with the `b` or `B` suffix.

You can test the examples of this section with the `normand`
<<command-line-tool,command-line tool>> as such:

----
$ normand file | hexdump -C
----

where `file` is the name of a file containing the Normand input.

=== Byte constant

A _byte constant_ represents one or more constant bytes.

A byte constant is:

Hexadecimal form::
    Two consecutive hexadecimal digits representing a single byte.

Decimal form::
    One or more digits after the `$` prefix representing a single byte.

Binary form:: {empty}
+
--
. __**N**__ `%` prefixes (at least one).
+
The number of `%` characters is the number of subsequent expected bytes.

. __**N**__{nbsp}×{nbsp}8 bits (`0` or `1`).
--

====
Input:

----
ab cd [3d 8F] CC
----

Output:

----
ab cd 3d 8f cc
----
====

====
Input:

----
$192 %1100/0011 $ -77
----

Output:

----
c0 c3 b3
----
====

====
Input:

----
58f64689-6316-4d55-8a1a-04cada366172
fe80::6257:18ff:fea3:4229
----

Output:

----
58 f6 46 89 63 16 4d 55  8a 1a 04 ca da 36 61 72  ┆ X•F•c•MU•••••6ar
fe 80 62 57 18 ff fe a3  42 29                    ┆ ••bW••••B)
----
====

====
Input:

----
%01110011 %01100001 %01101100 %01110101 %01110100
%%%1101:0010 11111111 #A#11 #B#00 #C#011 #D#1
----

Output:

----
73 61 6c 75 74 d2 ff c7  ┆ salut•••
----
====

=== Literal string

A _literal string_ represents the encoded bytes of a literal string
using the UTF-8, UTF-16, UTF-32, or Latin-1 to Latin-10 encoding.

The string to encode isn't implicitly null-terminated: use `\0` at the
end of the string to add a null character.

A literal string is:

. **Optional**: one of the following encodings instead of the default
  UTF-8:
+
--
[horizontal]
`s:u8`::
`u8`::
    UTF-8.

`s:u16be`::
`u16be`::
    UTF-16BE.

`s:u16le`::
`u16le`::
    UTF-16LE.

`s:u32be`::
`u32be`::
    UTF-32BE.

`s:u32le`::
`u32le`::
    UTF-32LE.

`s:latin1`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-1.

`s:latin2`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-2.

`s:latin3`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-3.

`s:latin4`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-4.

`s:latin5`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-9.

`s:latin6`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-10.

`s:latin7`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-13.

`s:latin8`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-14.

`s:latin9`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-15.

`s:latin10`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-16.
--

. The ``pass:["]`` prefix.

. A sequence of zero or more characters, possibly containing escape
  sequences.
+
An escape sequence is the ``\`` character followed by one of:
+
--
[horizontal]
`0`:: Null (U+0000)
`a`:: Alert (U+0007)
`b`:: Backspace (U+0008)
`e`:: Escape (U+001B)
`f`:: Form feed (U+000C)
`n`:: End of line (U+000A)
`r`:: Carriage return (U+000D)
`t`:: Character tabulation (U+0009)
`v`:: Line tabulation (U+000B)
``\``:: Reverse solidus (U+005C)
``pass:["]``:: Quotation mark (U+0022)
--

. The ``pass:["]`` suffix.

====
Input:

----
"coucou tout le monde!"
----

Output:

----
63 6f 75 63 6f 75 20 74  6f 75 74 20 6c 65 20 6d  ┆ coucou tout le m
6f 6e 64 65 21                                    ┆ onde!
----
====

====
Input:

----
u16le"I am not young enough to know everything."
----

Output:

----
49 00 20 00 61 00 6d 00  20 00 6e 00 6f 00 74 00  ┆ I• •a•m• •n•o•t•
20 00 79 00 6f 00 75 00  6e 00 67 00 20 00 65 00  ┆  •y•o•u•n•g• •e•
6e 00 6f 00 75 00 67 00  68 00 20 00 74 00 6f 00  ┆ n•o•u•g•h• •t•o•
20 00 6b 00 6e 00 6f 00  77 00 20 00 65 00 76 00  ┆  •k•n•o•w• •e•v•
65 00 72 00 79 00 74 00  68 00 69 00 6e 00 67 00  ┆ e•r•y•t•h•i•n•g•
2e 00                                             ┆ .•
----
====

====
Input:

----
s:u32be "\"illusion is the first\nof all pleasures\" 🦉"
----

Output:

----
00 00 00 22 00 00 00 69  00 00 00 6c 00 00 00 6c  ┆ •••"•••i•••l•••l
00 00 00 75 00 00 00 73  00 00 00 69 00 00 00 6f  ┆ •••u•••s•••i•••o
00 00 00 6e 00 00 00 20  00 00 00 69 00 00 00 73  ┆ •••n••• •••i•••s
00 00 00 20 00 00 00 74  00 00 00 68 00 00 00 65  ┆ ••• •••t•••h•••e
00 00 00 20 00 00 00 66  00 00 00 69 00 00 00 72  ┆ ••• •••f•••i•••r
00 00 00 73 00 00 00 74  00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 6f  ┆ •••s•••t•••••••o
00 00 00 66 00 00 00 20  00 00 00 61 00 00 00 6c  ┆ •••f••• •••a•••l
00 00 00 6c 00 00 00 20  00 00 00 70 00 00 00 6c  ┆ •••l••• •••p•••l
00 00 00 65 00 00 00 61  00 00 00 73 00 00 00 75  ┆ •••e•••a•••s•••u
00 00 00 72 00 00 00 65  00 00 00 73 00 00 00 22  ┆ •••r•••e•••s•••"
00 00 00 20 00 01 f9 89                           ┆ ••• ••••
----
====

====
Input:

----
s:latin1 "Paul Piché"
----

Output:

----
50 61 75 6c 20 50 69 63  68 e9  ┆ Paul Pich•
----
====

=== Current byte order setting

This special item sets the <<cur-bo,_current byte order_>>.

The two accepted forms are:

[horizontal]
``pass:[{be}]``:: Set the current byte order to big endian.
``pass:[{le}]``:: Set the current byte order to little endian.

=== Fixed-length number

A _fixed-length number_ represents a fixed number of bytes encoding
either:

* An unsigned or signed integer (two's complement).
+
The available lengths are 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, and 64.

* A floating point number
  (https://standards.ieee.org/standard/754-2008.html[IEEE{nbsp}754-2008]).
+
The available length are 32 (_binary32_) and 64 (_binary64_).

The value is the result of evaluating a {py3} expression using the
<<cur-bo,current byte order>>.

A fixed-length number is:

. The ``pass:[{]`` prefix.

. A valid {py3} expression.
+
For a fixed-length number at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain the name of any accessible <<label,label>> (not
within a nested group), including the name of a label defined
after{nbsp}__**L**__, as well as the name of any
<<variable-assignment,variable>> known at{nbsp}__**L**__.
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before encoding the number).

. The `:` character.

. An encoding length in bits amongst:
+
--
The expression evaluates to an `int` or `bool` value::
    `8`, `16`, `24`, `32`, `40`, `48`, `56`, and `64`.
+
NOTE: Normand automatically converts a `bool` value to `int`.

The expression evaluates to a `float` value::
    `32` and `64`.
--

. The `}` suffix.

====
Input:

----
{le} {345:16}
{be} {-0xabcd:32}
----

Output:

----
59 01 ff ff 54 33
----
====

====
Input:

----
{be}

# String length in bits
{8 * (str_end - str_beg) : 16}

# String
<str_beg>
  "hello world!"
<str_end>
----

Output:

----
00 60 68 65 6c 6c 6f 20  77 6f 72 6c 64 21  ┆ •`hello world!
----
====

====
Input:

----
{20 - ICITTE : 8} * 10
----

Output:

----
14 13 12 11 10 0f 0e 0d  0c 0b
----
====

====
Input:

----
{le}
{2 * 0.0529 : 32}
----

Output:

----
ac ad d8 3d
----
====

=== LEB128 integer

An _LEB128 integer_ represents a variable number of bytes encoding an
unsigned or signed integer which is the result of evaluating a {py3}
expression following the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEB128[LEB128]
format.

An LEB128 integer is:

. The ``pass:[{]`` prefix.

. A valid {py3} expression of which the evaluation result type
  is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to `int`).
+
For an LEB128 integer at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before encoding the integer).

. The `:` character.

. One of:
+
--
[horizontal]
`uleb128`:: Use the unsigned LEB128 format.
`sleb128`:: Use the signed LEB128 format.
--

. The `}` suffix.

====
Input:

----
{624485 : uleb128}
----

Output:

----
e5 8e 26
----
====

====
Input:

----
aa bb cc dd
<meow>
ee ff
{-981238311 + (meow * -23) : sleb128}
"hello"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd ee ff fd fa  8d ac 7c 68 65 6c 6c 6f  ┆ ••••••••••|hello
----
====

=== String

A _string_ represents a variable number of bytes encoding a string which
is the result of evaluating a {py3} expression using the UTF-8, UTF-16,
UTF-32, or Latin-1 to Latin-10 encoding.

A string has two possible forms:

Encoding prefix form:: {empty}
+
. An encoding amongst:
+
--
[horizontal]
`s:u8`::
`u8`::
    UTF-8.

`s:u16be`::
`u16be`::
    UTF-16BE.

`s:u16le`::
`u16le`::
    UTF-16LE.

`s:u32be`::
`u32be`::
    UTF-32BE.

`s:u32le`::
`u32le`::
    UTF-32LE.

`s:latin1`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-1.

`s:latin2`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-2.

`s:latin3`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-3.

`s:latin4`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-4.

`s:latin5`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-9.

`s:latin6`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-10.

`s:latin7`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-13.

`s:latin8`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-14.

`s:latin9`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-15.

`s:latin10`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-16.
--

. The ``pass:[{]`` prefix.

. A valid {py3} expression of which the evaluation result type
  is `bool`, `int`, `float`, or `str` (the first three automatically
  converted to `str`).
+
For a string at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this expression may
contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before encoding the string).

. The `}` suffix.

Encoding suffix form:: {empty}
+
. The ``pass:[{]`` prefix.

. A valid {py3} expression of which the evaluation result type
  is `bool`, `int`, `float`, or `str` (the first three automatically
  converted to `str`).
+
For a string at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this expression may
contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before encoding the string).

. The `:` character.

. A string encoding amongst:
+
--
[horizontal]
`s:u8`::
    UTF-8.

`s:u16be`::
    UTF-16BE.

`s:u16le`::
    UTF-16LE.

`s:u32be`::
    UTF-32BE.

`s:u32le`::
    UTF-32LE.

`s:latin1`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-1.

`s:latin2`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-2.

`s:latin3`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-3.

`s:latin4`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-4.

`s:latin5`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-9.

`s:latin6`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-10.

`s:latin7`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-13.

`s:latin8`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-14.

`s:latin9`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-15.

`s:latin10`::
    ISO/IEC 8859-16.
--

. The `}` suffix.

====
Input:

----
{iter = 1}

!repeat 10
  {iter : s:u8} " "
  {iter = iter + 1}
!end
----

Output:

----
31 20 32 20 33 20 34 20  35 20 36 20 37 20 38 20  ┆ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
39 20 31 30 20                                    ┆ 9 10
----
====

====
Input:

----
{meow = 'salut jérémie'}
{meow.upper() : s:latin1}
----

Output:

----
53 41 4c 55 54 20 4a c9  52 c9 4d 49 45  ┆ SALUT J•R•MIE
----
====

=== Current offset setting

This special item sets the <<cur-offset,_current offset_>>.

A current offset setting is:

. The `<` prefix.

. A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the new current
  offset.

. The `>` suffix.

====
Input:

----
       {ICITTE : 8} * 8
<0x61> {ICITTE : 8} * 8
----

Output:

----
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07  61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68  ┆ ••••••••abcdefgh
----
====

====
Input:

----
aa bb cc dd <meow> ee ff
<12> 11 22 33 <mix> 44 55
{meow : 8} {mix : 8}
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd ee ff 11 22  33 44 55 04 0f  ┆ •••••••"3DU••
----
====

=== Current offset alignment

A _current offset alignment_ represents zero or more padding bytes to
make the <<cur-offset,current offset>> meet a given
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_structure_alignment[alignment] value.

More specifically, for an alignment value of{nbsp}__**N**__{nbsp}bits,
a current offset alignment represents the required padding bytes until
the current offset is a multiple of __**N**__{nbsp}/{nbsp}8.

A current offset alignment is:

. The `@` prefix.

. A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the alignment value
  in _bits_.
+
This value must be greater than zero and a multiple of{nbsp}8.

. **Optional**:
+
--
. The ``pass:[~]`` prefix.
. A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the value of the
  byte to use as padding to align the <<cur-offset,current offset>>.
--
+
Without this section, the padding byte value is zero.

====
Input:

----
11 22 (@32 aa bb cc) * 3
----

Output:

----
11 22 00 00 aa bb cc 00  aa bb cc 00 aa bb cc
----
====

====
Input:

----
{le}
77 88
@32~0xcc {-893.5:32}
@128~0x55 "meow"
----

Output:

----
77 88 cc cc 00 60 5f c4  55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55  ┆ w••••`_•UUUUUUUU
6d 65 6f 77                                       ┆ meow
----
====

====
Input:

----
aa bb cc <29> @64~255 "zoom"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc ff ff ff 7a 6f  6f 6d  ┆ ••••••zoom
----
====

=== Filling

A _filling_ represents zero or more padding bytes to make the
<<cur-offset,current offset>> reach a given value.

A filling is:

. The ``pass:[+]`` prefix.

. One of:

** A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the current offset
   target.

** The ``pass:[{]`` prefix, a valid {py3} expression of which the
   evaluation result type is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to
   `int`), and the ``pass:[}]`` suffix.
+
For a filling at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this expression
may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before handling the items to
repeat).

** A valid {py3} name.
+
For the name `__NAME__`, this is equivalent to the
`pass:[{]__NAME__pass:[}]` form above.

+
This value must be greater than or equal to the current offset where
it's used.

. **Optional**:
+
--
. The ``pass:[~]`` prefix.
. A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the value of the
  byte to use as padding to reach the current offset target.
--
+
Without this section, the padding byte value is zero.

====
Input:

----
aa bb cc dd
+0x40
"hello world"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
68 65 6c 6c 6f 20 77 6f  72 6c 64                 ┆ hello world
----
====

====
Input:

----
!macro part(iter, fill)
  <0> "particular security " {ord('0') + iter : 8} +fill~0x80
!end

{iter = 1}

!repeat 5
  m:part(iter, {32 + 4 * iter})
  {iter = iter + 1}
!end
----

Output:

----
70 61 72 74 69 63 75 6c  61 72 20 73 65 63 75 72  ┆ particular secur
69 74 79 20 31 80 80 80  80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  ┆ ity 1•••••••••••
80 80 80 80 70 61 72 74  69 63 75 6c 61 72 20 73  ┆ ••••particular s
65 63 75 72 69 74 79 20  32 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  ┆ ecurity 2•••••••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  80 80 80 80 70 61 72 74  ┆ ••••••••••••part
69 63 75 6c 61 72 20 73  65 63 75 72 69 74 79 20  ┆ icular security
33 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  ┆ 3•••••••••••••••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  70 61 72 74 69 63 75 6c  ┆ ••••••••particul
61 72 20 73 65 63 75 72  69 74 79 20 34 80 80 80  ┆ ar security 4•••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  70 61 72 74 69 63 75 6c  ┆ ••••••••particul
61 72 20 73 65 63 75 72  69 74 79 20 35 80 80 80  ┆ ar security 5•••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80  80 80 80 80              ┆ ••••••••••••
----
====

=== Label

A _label_ associates a name to the <<cur-offset,current offset>>.

All the labels of a whole Normand input must have unique names.

A label must not share the name of a <<variable-assignment,variable>>
name.

A label is:

. The `<` prefix.

. A valid {py3} name which is not `ICITTE`.

. The `>` suffix.

=== Variable assignment

A _variable assignment_ associates a name to the integral result of an
evaluated {py3} expression.

A variable assignment is:

. The ``pass:[{]`` prefix.

. A valid {py3} name which is not `ICITTE`.

. The `=` character.

. A valid {py3} expression of which the evaluation result type is `int`,
  `float`, or `bool` (automatically converted to `int`), or `str`.
+
For a variable assignment at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>>.

. The `}` suffix.

====
Input:

----
{mix = 101} {le}
{meow = 42} 11 22 {meow:8} 33 {meow = ICITTE + 17}
"yooo" {meow + mix : 16}
----

Output:

----
11 22 2a 33 79 6f 6f 6f  7a 00  ┆ •"*3yoooz•
----
====

=== Group

A _group_ is a scoped sequence of items.

The <<label,labels>> within a group aren't visible outside of it.

The main purpose of a group is to <<post-item-repetition,repeat>> more
than a single item and to isolate labels.

A group is:

. The `(`, `!group`, or `!g` opening.

. Zero or more items.

. Depending on the group opening:
+
--
`(`::
    The `)` closing.

`!group`::
`!g`::
    The `!end` closing.
--

====
Input:

----
((aa bb cc) dd () ee) "leclerc"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd ee 6c 65 63  6c 65 72 63  ┆ •••••leclerc
----
====

====
Input:

----
!group
  (aa bb cc) * 3 dd ee
!end * 5
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc aa bb cc aa bb  cc dd ee aa bb cc aa bb
cc aa bb cc dd ee aa bb  cc aa bb cc aa bb cc dd
ee aa bb cc aa bb cc aa  bb cc dd ee aa bb cc aa
bb cc aa bb cc dd ee
----
====

====
Input:

----
{be}
(
  <str_beg> u16le"sébastien diaz" <str_end>
  {ICITTE - str_beg : 8}
  {(end - str_beg) * 5 : 24}
) * 3
<end>
----

Output:

----
73 00 e9 00 62 00 61 00  73 00 74 00 69 00 65 00  ┆ s•••b•a•s•t•i•e•
6e 00 20 00 64 00 69 00  61 00 7a 00 1c 00 01 e0  ┆ n• •d•i•a•z•••••
73 00 e9 00 62 00 61 00  73 00 74 00 69 00 65 00  ┆ s•••b•a•s•t•i•e•
6e 00 20 00 64 00 69 00  61 00 7a 00 1c 00 01 40  ┆ n• •d•i•a•z••••@
73 00 e9 00 62 00 61 00  73 00 74 00 69 00 65 00  ┆ s•••b•a•s•t•i•e•
6e 00 20 00 64 00 69 00  61 00 7a 00 1c 00 00 a0  ┆ n• •d•i•a•z•••••
----
====

=== Conditional block

A _conditional block_ represents either the bytes of zero or more items
if some expression is true, or the bytes of zero or more other items if
it's false.

A conditional block is:

. The `!if` opening.

. One of:

** The ``pass:[{]`` prefix, a valid {py3} expression of which the
   evaluation result type is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to
   `int`), and the ``pass:[}]`` suffix.
+
For a conditional block at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before handling the contained
items).

** A valid {py3} name.
+
For the name `__NAME__`, this is equivalent to the
`pass:[{]__NAME__pass:[}]` form above.

. Zero or more items to be handled when the condition is true.

. **Optional**:

.. The `!else` opening.
.. Zero or more items to be handled when the condition is false.

. The `!end` closing.

====
Input:

----
{at = 1}
{rep_count = 9}

!repeat rep_count
  "meow "

  !if {ICITTE > 25}
    "mix"
  !else
    "zoom"
  !end

  !if {at < rep_count} 20 !end

  {at = at + 1}
!end
----

Output:

----
6d 65 6f 77 20 7a 6f 6f  6d 20 6d 65 6f 77 20 7a  ┆ meow zoom meow z
6f 6f 6d 20 6d 65 6f 77  20 7a 6f 6f 6d 20 6d 65  ┆ oom meow zoom me
6f 77 20 6d 69 78 20 6d  65 6f 77 20 6d 69 78 20  ┆ ow mix meow mix
6d 65 6f 77 20 6d 69 78  20 6d 65 6f 77 20 6d 69  ┆ meow mix meow mi
78 20 6d 65 6f 77 20 6d  69 78 20 6d 65 6f 77 20  ┆ x meow mix meow
6d 69 78                                          ┆ mix
----
====

====
Input:

----
<str_beg>
u16le"meow mix!"
<str_end>

!if {str_end - str_beg > 10}
  " BIG"
!end
----

Output:

----
6d 00 65 00 6f 00 77 00  20 00 6d 00 69 00 78 00  ┆ m•e•o•w• •m•i•x•
21 00 20 42 49 47                                 ┆ !• BIG
----
====

=== Repetition block

A _repetition block_ represents the bytes of one or more items repeated
a given number of times.

A repetition block is:

. The `!repeat` or `!r` opening.

. One of:

** A <<const-int,positive constant integer>> which is the number of
   times to repeat the previous item.

** The ``pass:[{]`` prefix, a valid {py3} expression of which the
   evaluation result type is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to
   `int`), and the ``pass:[}]`` suffix.
+
For a repetition block at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before handling the items to
repeat).

** A valid {py3} name.
+
For the name `__NAME__`, this is equivalent to the
`pass:[{]__NAME__pass:[}]` form above.

. Zero or more items.

. The `!end` closing.

You may also use a <<post-item-repetition,post-item repetition>> after
some items. The form ``!repeat{nbsp}__X__{nbsp}__ITEMS__{nbsp}!end``
is equivalent to ``(__ITEMS__){nbsp}pass:[*]{nbsp}__X__``.

====
Input:

----
!repeat 0o400
  {end - ICITTE - 1 : 8}
!end

<end>
----

Output:

----
ff fe fd fc fb fa f9 f8  f7 f6 f5 f4 f3 f2 f1 f0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ef ee ed ec eb ea e9 e8  e7 e6 e5 e4 e3 e2 e1 e0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
df de dd dc db da d9 d8  d7 d6 d5 d4 d3 d2 d1 d0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
cf ce cd cc cb ca c9 c8  c7 c6 c5 c4 c3 c2 c1 c0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
bf be bd bc bb ba b9 b8  b7 b6 b5 b4 b3 b2 b1 b0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
af ae ad ac ab aa a9 a8  a7 a6 a5 a4 a3 a2 a1 a0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
9f 9e 9d 9c 9b 9a 99 98  97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
8f 8e 8d 8c 8b 8a 89 88  87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
7f 7e 7d 7c 7b 7a 79 78  77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70  ┆ •~}|{zyxwvutsrqp
6f 6e 6d 6c 6b 6a 69 68  67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60  ┆ onmlkjihgfedcba`
5f 5e 5d 5c 5b 5a 59 58  57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50  ┆ _^]\[ZYXWVUTSRQP
4f 4e 4d 4c 4b 4a 49 48  47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40  ┆ ONMLKJIHGFEDCBA@
3f 3e 3d 3c 3b 3a 39 38  37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30  ┆ ?>=<;:9876543210
2f 2e 2d 2c 2b 2a 29 28  27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20  ┆ /.-,+*)('&%$#"!
1f 1e 1d 1c 1b 1a 19 18  17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
0f 0e 0d 0c 0b 0a 09 08  07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
----
====

====
Input:

----
{times = 1}

aa bb cc dd

!repeat 3
  <here>

  !repeat {here + 1}
    ee ff
  !end

  11 22 !repeat times 33 !end

  {times = times + 1}
!end

"coucou!"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd ee ff ee ff  ee ff ee ff ee ff 11 22  ┆ •••••••••••••••"
33 ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ 3•••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff 11 22 33  33 ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••"33•••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff 11 22 33  ┆ ••••••••••••••"3
33 33 63 6f 75 63 6f 75  21                       ┆ 33coucou!
----
====

=== Macro definition block

A _macro definition block_ associates a name and parameter names to
a group of items.

A macro definition block doesn't lead to generated bytes itself: a
<<macro-expansion,macro expansion>> does so.

A macro definition may only exist at the root level, that is, not within
a <<group,group>>, a <<repetition-block,repetition block>>, a
<<conditional-block,conditional block>>, or another
<<macro-definition-block,macro definition block>>.

All macro definitions must have unique names.

A macro definition is:

. The `!macro` or `!m` opening.

. A valid {py3} name (the macro name).

. The `(` parameter name list prefix.

. A comma-separated list of zero or more unique parameter names,
  each one being a valid {py3} name.

. The `)` parameter name list suffix.

. Zero or more items except, recursively, a macro definition block.

. The `!end` closing.

====
----
!macro bake()
  {le} {ICITTE * 8 : 16}
  u16le"predict explode"
!end
----
====

====
----
!macro nail(rep, with_extra, val)
  {iter = 1}

  !repeat rep
    {val + iter : uleb128}
    {0xdeadbeef : 32}
    {iter = iter + 1}
  !end

  !if with_extra
    "meow mix\0"
  !end
!end
----
====

=== Macro expansion

A _macro expansion_ expands the items of a defined
<<macro-definition-block,macro>>.

The macro to expand must be defined _before_ the expansion.

The <<state,state>> before handling the first item of the chosen macro
is:

<<cur-offset,Current offset>>::
    Unchanged.

<<cur-bo,Current byte order>>::
    Unchanged.

Variables::
    The only available variables initially are the macro parameters.

Labels::
    None.

The state after having handled the last item of the chosen macro is:

Current offset::
    The one before handling the first item of the macro plus the size
    of the generated data of the macro expansion.
+
IMPORTANT: This means <<current-offset-setting,current offset setting>>
items within the expanded macro don't impact the final current offset.

Current byte order::
    The one before handling the first item of the macro.

Variables::
    The ones before handling the first item of the macro.

Labels::
    The ones before handling the first item of the macro.

A macro expansion is:

. The `m:` prefix.

. A valid {py3} name (the name of the macro to expand).

. The `(` parameter value list prefix.

. A comma-separated list of zero or more unique parameter values.
+
The number of parameter values must match the number of parameter
names of the definition of the chosen macro.
+
A parameter value is one of:
+
--
* A <<const-int,constant integer>>, possibly negative.

* A constant floating point number.

* The ``pass:[{]`` prefix, a valid {py3} expression of which the
  evaluation result type is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to
  `int`), and the ``pass:[}]`` suffix.
+
For a macro expansion at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:

** The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
   which isn't within a nested group.
** The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
   at{nbsp}__**L**__.

+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before handling the items of the
chosen macro).

* A valid {py3} name.
+
For the name `__NAME__`, this is equivalent to the
`pass:[{]__NAME__pass:[}]` form above.
--

. The `)` parameter value list suffix.

====
Input:

----
!macro bake()
  {le} {ICITTE * 8 : 16}
  u16le"predict explode"
!end

"hello [" m:bake() "] world"

m:bake() * 5
----

Output:

----
68 65 6c 6c 6f 20 5b 38  00 70 00 72 00 65 00 64  ┆ hello [8•p•r•e•d
00 69 00 63 00 74 00 20  00 65 00 78 00 70 00 6c  ┆ •i•c•t• •e•x•p•l
00 6f 00 64 00 65 00 5d  20 77 6f 72 6c 64 70 01  ┆ •o•d•e•] worldp•
70 00 72 00 65 00 64 00  69 00 63 00 74 00 20 00  ┆ p•r•e•d•i•c•t• •
65 00 78 00 70 00 6c 00  6f 00 64 00 65 00 70 02  ┆ e•x•p•l•o•d•e•p•
70 00 72 00 65 00 64 00  69 00 63 00 74 00 20 00  ┆ p•r•e•d•i•c•t• •
65 00 78 00 70 00 6c 00  6f 00 64 00 65 00 70 03  ┆ e•x•p•l•o•d•e•p•
70 00 72 00 65 00 64 00  69 00 63 00 74 00 20 00  ┆ p•r•e•d•i•c•t• •
65 00 78 00 70 00 6c 00  6f 00 64 00 65 00 70 04  ┆ e•x•p•l•o•d•e•p•
70 00 72 00 65 00 64 00  69 00 63 00 74 00 20 00  ┆ p•r•e•d•i•c•t• •
65 00 78 00 70 00 6c 00  6f 00 64 00 65 00 70 05  ┆ e•x•p•l•o•d•e•p•
70 00 72 00 65 00 64 00  69 00 63 00 74 00 20 00  ┆ p•r•e•d•i•c•t• •
65 00 78 00 70 00 6c 00  6f 00 64 00 65 00        ┆ e•x•p•l•o•d•e•
----
====

====
Input:

----
!macro A(val, is_be)
  {le}

  !if is_be
    {be}
  !end

  {val : 16}
!end

!macro B(rep, is_be)
  {iter = 1}

  !repeat rep
  m:A({iter * 3}, is_be)
  {iter = iter + 1}
  !end
!end

m:B(5, 1)
m:B(3, 0)
----

Output:

----
00 03 00 06 00 09 00 0c  00 0f 03 00 06 00 09 00
----
====

====
Input:

----
!macro flt32be(val) {be} {val : 32} !end

"CHEETOS"
m:flt32be(-42.17)
m:flt32be(56.23e-4)
----

Output:

----
43 48 45 45 54 4f 53 c2  28 ae 14 3b b8 41 25     ┆ CHEETOS•(••;•A%
----
====

=== Post-item repetition

A _post-item repetition_ represents the bytes of an item repeated a
given number of times.

A post-item repetition is:

. One of those items:

** A <<byte-constant,byte constant>>.
** A <<literal-string,literal string>>.
** A <<fixed-length-number,fixed-length number>>.
** An <<leb128-integer,LEB128 integer>>.
** A <<string,string>>.
** A <<macro-expansion,macro-expansion>>.
** A <<group,group>>.

. The ``pass:[*]`` character.

. One of:

** A positive integer (hexadecimal starting with `0x` or `0X` accepted)
   which is the number of times to repeat the previous item.

** The ``pass:[{]`` prefix, a valid {py3} expression of which the
   evaluation result type is `int` or `bool` (automatically converted to
   `int`), and the ``pass:[}]`` suffix.
+
For a post-item repetition at some source location{nbsp}__**L**__, this
expression may contain:
+
--
* The name of any <<label,label>> defined before{nbsp}__**L**__
  which isn't within a nested group and
  which isn't part of the repeated item.
* The name of any <<variable-assignment,variable>> known
  at{nbsp}__**L**__, which isn't part of its repeated item, and which
  doesn't.
--
+
The value of the special name `ICITTE` (`int` type) in this expression
is the <<cur-offset,current offset>> (before handling the items to
repeat).

** A valid {py3} name.
+
For the name `__NAME__`, this is equivalent to the
`pass:[{]__NAME__pass:[}]` form above.

You may also use a <<repetition-block,repetition block>>. The form
``__ITEM__{nbsp}pass:[*]{nbsp}__X__`` is equivalent to
``!repeat{nbsp}__X__{nbsp}__ITEM__{nbsp}!end``.

====
Input:

----
{end - ICITTE - 1 : 8} * 0x100 <end>
----

Output:

----
ff fe fd fc fb fa f9 f8  f7 f6 f5 f4 f3 f2 f1 f0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ef ee ed ec eb ea e9 e8  e7 e6 e5 e4 e3 e2 e1 e0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
df de dd dc db da d9 d8  d7 d6 d5 d4 d3 d2 d1 d0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
cf ce cd cc cb ca c9 c8  c7 c6 c5 c4 c3 c2 c1 c0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
bf be bd bc bb ba b9 b8  b7 b6 b5 b4 b3 b2 b1 b0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
af ae ad ac ab aa a9 a8  a7 a6 a5 a4 a3 a2 a1 a0  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
9f 9e 9d 9c 9b 9a 99 98  97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
8f 8e 8d 8c 8b 8a 89 88  87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
7f 7e 7d 7c 7b 7a 79 78  77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70  ┆ •~}|{zyxwvutsrqp
6f 6e 6d 6c 6b 6a 69 68  67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60  ┆ onmlkjihgfedcba`
5f 5e 5d 5c 5b 5a 59 58  57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50  ┆ _^]\[ZYXWVUTSRQP
4f 4e 4d 4c 4b 4a 49 48  47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40  ┆ ONMLKJIHGFEDCBA@
3f 3e 3d 3c 3b 3a 39 38  37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30  ┆ ?>=<;:9876543210
2f 2e 2d 2c 2b 2a 29 28  27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20  ┆ /.-,+*)('&%$#"!
1f 1e 1d 1c 1b 1a 19 18  17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
0f 0e 0d 0c 0b 0a 09 08  07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
----
====

====
Input:

----
{times = 1}
aa bb cc dd
(
  <here>
  (ee ff) * {here + 1}
  11 22 33 * {times}
  {times = times + 1}
) * 3
"coucou!"
----

Output:

----
aa bb cc dd ee ff ee ff  ee ff ee ff ee ff 11 22  ┆ •••••••••••••••"
33 ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ 3•••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff 11 22 33  33 ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••"33•••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ┆ ••••••••••••••••
ff ee ff ee ff ee ff ee  ff ee ff ee ff 11 22 33  ┆ ••••••••••••••"3
33 33 63 6f 75 63 6f 75  21                       ┆ 33coucou!
----
====

== Command-line tool

If you <<install-normand,installed>> the `normand` package, then you
can use the `normand` command-line tool:

----
$ normand <<< '"ma gang de malades"' | hexdump -C
----

----
00000000  6d 61 20 67 61 6e 67 20  64 65 20 6d 61 6c 61 64  |ma gang de malad|
00000010  65 73                                             |es|
----

If you copy the `normand.py` module to your own project, then you can
run the module itself:

----
$ python3 -m normand <<< '"ma gang de malades"' | hexdump -C
----

----
00000000  6d 61 20 67 61 6e 67 20  64 65 20 6d 61 6c 61 64  |ma gang de malad|
00000010  65 73                                             |es|
----

Without a path argument, the `normand` tool reads from the standard
input.

The `normand` tool prints the generated binary data to the standard
output.

Various options control the initial <<state,state>> of the processor:
use the `--help` option to learn more.

== {py3} API

The whole `normand` package/module public API is:

[source,python]
----
# Byte order.
class ByteOrder(enum.Enum):
    # Big endian.
    BE = ...

    # Little endian.
    LE = ...


# Text location.
class TextLocation:
    # Line number.
    @property
    def line_no(self) -> int:
        ...

    # Column number.
    @property
    def col_no(self) -> int:
        ...


# Parsing error message.
class ParseErrorMessage:
    # Message text.
    @property
    def text(self):
        ...

    # Source text location.
    @property
    def text_location(self):
        ...


# Parsing error.
class ParseError(RuntimeError):
    # Parsing error messages.
    #
    # The first message is the most _specific_ one.
    @property
    def messages(self):
        ...


# Variables dictionary type (for type hints).
VariablesT = typing.Dict[str, typing.Union[int, float]]


# Labels dictionary type (for type hints).
LabelsT = typing.Dict[str, int]


# Parsing result.
class ParseResult:
    # Generated data.
    @property
    def data(self) -> bytearray:
        ...

    # Updated variable values.
    @property
    def variables(self) -> SymbolsT:
        ...

    # Updated main group label values.
    @property
    def labels(self) -> SymbolsT:
        ...

    # Final offset.
    @property
    def offset(self) -> int:
        ...

    # Final byte order.
    @property
    def byte_order(self) -> typing.Optional[ByteOrder]:
        ...


# Parses the `normand` input using the initial state defined by
# `init_variables`, `init_labels`, `init_offset`, and `init_byte_order`,
# and returns the corresponding parsing result.
def parse(normand: str,
          init_variables: typing.Optional[SymbolsT] = None,
          init_labels: typing.Optional[SymbolsT] = None,
          init_offset: int = 0,
          init_byte_order: typing.Optional[ByteOrder] = None) -> ParseResult:
    ...
----

The `normand` parameter is the actual <<learn-normand,Normand input>>
while the other parameters control the initial <<state,state>>.

The `parse()` function raises a `ParseError` instance should it fail to
parse the `normand` string for any reason.

== Development

Normand is a https://python-poetry.org/[Poetry] project.

To develop it, install it through Poetry and enter the virtual
environment:

----
$ poetry install
$ poetry shell
$ normand <<< '"lol" * 10 0a'
----

`normand.py` is processed by:

* https://microsoft.github.io/pyright/[Pyright]
* https://github.com/psf/black[Black]
* https://pycqa.github.io/isort/[isort]

=== Testing

Use https://docs.pytest.org/[pytest] to test Normand once the package is
part of your virtual environment, for example:

----
$ poetry install
$ poetry run pip3 install pytest
$ poetry run pytest
----

The `pytest` project is currently not a development dependency in
`pyproject.toml` due to backward compatibiliy issues with
Python{nbsp}3.4.

In the `tests` directory, each `*.nt` file is a test. The file name
prefix indicates what it's meant to test:

`pass-`::
    Everything above the `---` line is the valid Normand input
    to test.
+
Everything below the `---` line is the expected data
(whitespace-separated hexadecimal bytes).

`fail-`::
    Everything above the `---` line is the invalid Normand input
    to test.
+
Everything below the `---` line is the expected error message having
this form:
+
----
LINE:COL - MESSAGE
----

=== Contributing

Normand uses https://review.lttng.org/admin/repos/normand,general[Gerrit]
for code review.

To report a bug, https://github.com/efficios/normand/issues/new[create a
GitHub issue].