Integrated: 8374889: C2 VectorAPI: must handle impossible combination of signed cast from float

[Emanuel Peter]

On Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:34:28 GMT, Emanuel Peter <epeter at openjdk.org> wrote:

> I found this bug with the Template Framework (Vector API Library extension): https://github.com/openjdk/jdk/pull/28873
> 
> In `VectorCastNode::opcode`, we have an assert that we **cannot** have an `unsigned cast from float`, it would be nonsense.
> https://github.com/openjdk/jdk/blob/2fbe47559e9ba45306bd08c3636647f865a75abd/src/hotspot/share/opto/vectornode.cpp#L1490-L1491
> 
> When we intrinsify `VectorSupport.convert`, we get a constant from the VectorAPI, that determines if we have a signed or unsigned cast, and other constants that determine the `from` and `to` types.
> 
> At runtime, the VectorAPI implementation can (I assume) never take a path of `unsigned cast from float`.
> But it seems that nothing prevents the VM from compiling such an (unreachable) path.
> 
> Here is how I think it happens:
> - `AbstractVector::castShape` creates a `C` conversion (lane-wise conversion). So at runtime, we will take the `C` switch-case in `AbstractVector::convert0`.
> - Profiling can also make the `Z` (lane-wise reinterpret) switch-case live, because of other cast and reinterpret calls that use that code path. And we may not (yet) have proven that the `Z` switch-case is never taken.
> - So we end up compiling the `Z` path, and call `VectorSupport.convert` with types `float` and `long`. And since the `Z` path sees that the from size is smaller than the to size, we get a `UCAST` (zero extension). Hence, we try to intrinsify a vector unsigned cast from float, and hit the assert.
> 
> https://github.com/openjdk/jdk/blob/2fbe47559e9ba45306bd08c3636647f865a75abd/src/jdk.incubator.vector/share/classes/jdk/incubator/vector/AbstractVector.java#L742-L743
> 
> That the `Z` path is unreachable for `castShape` seems to be an invariant that only the VectorAPI knows about, and the VM cannot directly know that and determine that it is dead code. Thus, **I propose that we just check for the condition when trying to intrinsify**, and refuse intrinsification if it is violated.
> 
> **Update: ** instead of not intrinsifying, we chose a stronger path: we intrinsify it with a `HaltNode` that should never be encountered at runtime. The reproducer I have eventually even is able to fold away the `HaltNode`, so it turns out it is indeed a dead path.

This pull request has now been integrated.

Changeset: 42439eb6
Author:    Emanuel Peter <epeter at openjdk.org>
URL:       https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/commit/42439eb60c4488711f182d0d6ee5165b4972b99d
Stats:     129 lines in 5 files changed: 119 ins; 2 del; 8 mod

8374889: C2 VectorAPI: must handle impossible combination of signed cast from float

Reviewed-by: dlong, qamai

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PR: https://git.openjdk.org/jdk/pull/29169