simplify

Given a formula, apply a sequence of Z3 tactics to produce an equivalent but simpler form. This is useful for understanding what Z3 sees after preprocessing, debugging tactic selection, and reducing formula size before solving. # Step 1: Choose tactics Action: Select a tactic chain from the available Z3 tactics based on the formula's theory. Expectation: A comma-separated list of tactic names suitable for the formula domain. Result: If unsure, use the default chain: `simplify,propagate-values,ctx-simplify`. For bitvector formulas, add `bit-blast`. Proceed to Step 2. | Tactic | What it does | |--------|-------------| | simplify | constant folding, algebraic identities | | propagate-values | substitute known equalities | | ctx-simplify | context-dependent simplification | | elim-uncnstr | remove unconstrained variables | | solve-eqs | Gaussian elimination | | bit-blast | reduce bitvectors to booleans | | tseitin-cnf | convert to CNF | | aig | and-inverter graph reduction | # Step 2: Run simplification Action: Invoke simplify.py with the formula and optional tactic chain. Expectation: The script applies each tactic in sequence and prints the simplified formula. A run entry is logged to z3agent.db. Result: If the output is simpler, pass it to **solve** or **prove**. If unchanged, try a different tactic chain. ```bash python3 scripts/simplify.py --formula "(assert (and (> x 0) (> x 0)))" --vars "x:Int" python3 scripts/simplify.py --file formula.smt2 --tactics "simplify,propagate-values,ctx-simplify" python3 scripts/simplify.py --file formula.smt2 --debug ``` Without `--tactics`, the script applies the default chain: `simplify`, `propagate-values`, `ctx-simplify`. # Step 3: Interpret the output Action: Read the simplified formula output in SMT-LIB2 syntax. Expectation: One or more `(assert ...)` blocks representing equivalent subgoals. Result: A smaller formula indicates successful reduction. Pass the result to **solve**, **prove**, or **optimize** as needed. # Parameters | Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description | |-----------|------|----------|---------|-------------| | formula | string | no | | SMT-LIB2 formula to simplify | | vars | string | no | | variable declarations as "name:sort" pairs | | file | path | no | | path to .smt2 file | | tactics | string | no | simplify,propagate-values,ctx-simplify | comma-separated tactic names | | timeout | int | no | 30 | seconds | | z3 | path | no | auto | path to z3 binary | | debug | flag | no | off | verbose tracing | | db | path | no | .z3-agent/z3agent.db | logging database |