We need this feature for:
1) Defining nonlinear search patterns. Example: (?m <= ?m + 1)
2) Preprocessing recursive equations and support the pattern
refinement approach used in Agda. Example: in Agda, they accept
```
def append {A : Type} : Π (m n : nat), Vec A m -> Vec A n -> Vec A (m + n)
| m n nil ys := ys
| m n (cons m' x xs) ys := cons x (append m' n xs ys)
```
These equations have to be refined. For example, `m` has to be
replaced with `0` (in the first equation), and `succ m'` in the
second. To implement this kind of refinement, we need to convert
the pattern variables (local constants) into metavariables during
elaboration. Then, the unassigned metavariables become local constants
again. This preprocessing step will fix some of the issues on #1594.
To completely fix#1594, we will need yet another preprocessing step
which will implement "complete transition" used in the equation
compiler before we start elim_match.cpp
Fixes#1363
After error recovery has been implemented in the elaborator, a few
assumptions made in the type context are not valid anymore since we may
be recovering from errors, and the local and metavariable contexts may
be invalid.
I used the approach used in the class environment.
- find* methods return optional<...>
- get* methods throw exception for unknown elements
Remarks:
I preserved code patterns such as
optional<local_decl> d = lctx.find_local_decl(...)
lean_assert(d)
and did not convert them into
local_decl d = lctx.get_local_decl(...)
Reason: the intention is clear that the local must be defined there.
If it is not we should analyze the problem and decide whether we should
throw an exception or not.
However, I converted code patterns such as
local_decl d = *lctx.find_local_decl(...)
into
local_decl d = lctx.get_local_decl(...)
Disclaimer: this change fixes issue #1363, but it may obfuscate other bugs.
