Module jdk.incubator.vector
Package jdk.incubator.vector

# Interface VectorSpecies<E>

Type Parameters:
  `E` - the boxed version of `ETYPE`, the element type of a vector

public interface VectorSpecies<E>
`VectorSpecies` relies on preview features of the Java platform:

- `VectorSpecies` refers to one or more preview APIs: `MemorySegment`.

Programs can only use `VectorSpecies` when preview features are enabled.
Preview features may be removed in a future release, or upgraded to permanent features of the Java platform.
Interface for managing all vectors of the same combination of element type (`ETYPE`) and `shape`.

API Note:
  User code should not implement this interface. A future release of this type may restrict implementations to be members of the same package.
Implementation Note:
  The string representation of an instance of this interface will be of the form "Species[ETYPE, VLENGTH, SHAPE]", where `ETYPE` is the primitive lane type, `VLENGTH` is the vector lane count associated with the species, and `SHAPE` is the vector shape associated with the species.

  Vector species objects can be stored in locals and parameters and as `static final` constants, but storing them in other Java fields or in array elements, while semantically valid, may incur performance penalties.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `Vector<E>`
  `broadcast(long e)`
  Returns a vector of the given species where all lane elements are set to the primitive value `e`.
  `<F> VectorSpecies<F>`
  `check(Class<F> elementType)`
  Checks that this species has the given element type, and returns this species unchanged.
  `long`
  `checkValue(long e)`
  Checks that this species can represent the given element value, and returns the value unchanged.
  `int`
  `elementSize()`
  Returns the lane size, in bits, of vectors of this species.
  `static int`
  `elementSize(Class<?> elementType)`
  Returns the bit-size of the given vector element type (`ETYPE`).
  `Class<E>`
  `elementType()`
  Returns the primitive element type of vectors of this species.
  `boolean`
  `equals(Object obj)`
  Indicates whether this species is identical to some other object.
  `Vector<E>`
  `fromArray(Object a, int offset)`
  Returns a vector of this species where lane elements are initialized from the given array at the given offset.
  `Vector<E>`
  `fromMemorySegment(MemorySegmentPREVIEW ms, long offset, ByteOrder bo)`
  Loads a vector of this species from a memory segmentPREVIEW starting at an offset into the memory segment.
  `int`
  `hashCode()`
  Returns a hash code value for the species, based on the vector shape and element type.
  `VectorMask<E>`
  `indexInRange(int offset, int limit)`
  Returns a mask of this species where only the lanes at index N such that the adjusted index `N+offset` is in the range `[0..limit-1]` are set.
  `VectorMask<E>`
  `indexInRange(long offset, long limit)`
  Returns a mask of this species where only the lanes at index N such that the adjusted index `N+offset` is in the range `[0..limit-1]` are set.
  `VectorShuffle<E>`
  `iotaShuffle(int start, int step, boolean wrap)`
  Creates a shuffle using source indexes set to sequential values starting from `start` and stepping by the given `step`.
  `int`
  `length()`
  Returns the number of lanes in a vector of this species.
  `VectorMask<E>`
  `loadMask(boolean[] bits, int offset)`
  Returns a mask of this species where lane elements are initialized from the given array at the given offset.
  `int`
  `loopBound(int length)`
  Loop control function which returns the largest multiple of `VLENGTH` that is less than or equal to the given `length` value.
  `long`
  `loopBound(long length)`
  Loop control function which returns the largest multiple of `VLENGTH` that is less than or equal to the given `length` value.
  `VectorMask<E>`
  `maskAll(boolean bit)`
  Returns a mask of this species, where each lane is set or unset according to given single boolean, which is broadcast to all lanes.
  `Class<? extends VectorMask<E>>`
  `maskType()`
  Returns the vector mask type for this species.
  `static <E> VectorSpecies<E>`
  `of(Class<E> elementType, VectorShape shape)`
  Finds a species for an element type and shape.
  `static <E> VectorSpecies<E>`
  `ofLargestShape(Class<E> etype)`
  Finds the largest vector species of the given element type.
  `static <E> VectorSpecies<E>`
  `ofPreferred(Class<E> etype)`
  Finds the species preferred by the current platform for a given vector element type.
  `int`
  `partLimit(VectorSpecies<?> outputSpecies, boolean lanewise)`
  Given this species and a second one, reports the net expansion or contraction of a (potentially) resizing reinterpretation cast or `lane-wise conversion` from this species to the second.
  `VectorShuffle<E>`
  `shuffleFromArray(int[] sourceIndexes, int offset)`
  Creates a shuffle for this species from an `int` array starting at an offset.
  `VectorShuffle<E>`
  `shuffleFromOp(IntUnaryOperator fn)`
  Creates a shuffle for this species from the successive values of an operator applied to the range `[0..VLENGTH-1]`.
  `VectorShuffle<E>`
  `shuffleFromValues(int... sourceIndexes)`
  Creates a shuffle for this species from a series of source indexes.
  `String`
  `toString()`
  Returns a string of the form "Species[ETYPE, VLENGTH, SHAPE]", where `ETYPE` is the primitive lane type, `VLENGTH` is the vector lane count associated with the species, and `SHAPE` is the vector shape associated with the species.
  `int`
  `vectorBitSize()`
  Returns the total vector size, in bits, of any vector of this species.
  `int`
  `vectorByteSize()`
  Returns the total vector size, in bytes, of any vector of this species.
  `VectorShape`
  `vectorShape()`
  Returns the shape of vectors produced by this species.
  `Class<? extends Vector<E>>`
  `vectorType()`
  Returns the vector type of this species.
  `<F> VectorSpecies<F>`
  `withLanes(Class<F> newType)`
  Finds a species with the given element type and the same shape as this species.
  `VectorSpecies<E>`
  `withShape(VectorShape newShape)`
  Finds a species with the given shape and the same elementType as this species.
  `Vector<E>`
  `zero()`
  Returns a vector of this species where all lane elements are set to the default primitive value, `(ETYPE)0`.

- ## Method Details

  - ### elementType

    Class<E> elementType()
    Returns the primitive element type of vectors of this species.
    Returns:
      the primitive element type (`ETYPE`)
    See Also:
      - `Class.arrayType()`

  - ### vectorType

    Class<? extends Vector<E>> vectorType()
    Returns the vector type of this species. A vector is of this species if and only if it is of the corresponding vector type.
    Returns:
      the vector type of this species

  - ### maskType

    Class<? extends VectorMask<E>> maskType()
    Returns the vector mask type for this species.
    Returns:
      the mask type

  - ### elementSize

    int elementSize()
    Returns the lane size, in bits, of vectors of this species.
    Returns:
      the element size, in bits

  - ### vectorShape

    VectorShape vectorShape()
    Returns the shape of vectors produced by this species.
    Returns:
      the shape of any vectors of this species

  - ### length

    int length()
    Returns the number of lanes in a vector of this species.
    API Note:
      This is also the number of lanes in a mask or shuffle associated with a vector of this species.
    Returns:
      the number of vector lanes

  - ### vectorBitSize

    int vectorBitSize()
    Returns the total vector size, in bits, of any vector of this species. This is the same value as `this.vectorShape().vectorBitSize()`.
    API Note:
      This size may be distinct from the size in bits of a mask or shuffle of this species.
    Returns:
      the total vector size, in bits

  - ### vectorByteSize

    int vectorByteSize()
    Returns the total vector size, in bytes, of any vector of this species. This is the same value as `this.vectorShape().vectorBitSize() / Byte.SIZE`.
    API Note:
      This size may be distinct from the size in bits of a mask or shuffle of this species.
    Returns:
      the total vector size, in bytes

  - ### loopBound

    int loopBound(int length)
    Loop control function which returns the largest multiple of `VLENGTH` that is less than or equal to the given `length` value. Here, `VLENGTH` is the result of `this.length()`, and `length` is interpreted as a number of lanes. The resulting value `R` satisfies this inequality:

        R <= length < R+VLENGTH

    Specifically, this method computes `length - floorMod(length, VLENGTH)`, where `floorMod` computes a remainder value by rounding its quotient toward negative infinity. As long as `VLENGTH` is a power of two, then the result is also equal to `length & ~(VLENGTH - 1)`.

    Parameters:
      `length` - the input length
    Returns:
      the largest multiple of the vector length not greater than the given length
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the `length` is negative and the result would overflow to a positive value
    See Also:
      - `Math.floorMod(int, int)`

  - ### loopBound

    long loopBound(long length)
    Loop control function which returns the largest multiple of `VLENGTH` that is less than or equal to the given `length` value. Here, `VLENGTH` is the result of `this.length()`, and `length` is interpreted as a number of lanes. The resulting value `R` satisfies this inequality:

        R <= length < R+VLENGTH

    Specifically, this method computes `length - floorMod(length, VLENGTH)`, where `floorMod` computes a remainder value by rounding its quotient toward negative infinity. As long as `VLENGTH` is a power of two, then the result is also equal to `length & ~(VLENGTH - 1)`.

    Parameters:
      `length` - the input length
    Returns:
      the largest multiple of the vector length not greater than the given length
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the `length` is negative and the result would overflow to a positive value
    Since:
      19
    See Also:
      - `Math.floorMod(long, int)`

  - ### indexInRange

    VectorMask<E> indexInRange(int offset, int limit)
    Returns a mask of this species where only the lanes at index N such that the adjusted index `N+offset` is in the range `[0..limit-1]` are set.

    This method returns the value of the expression `maskAll(true).indexInRange(offset, limit)`

    Parameters:
      `offset` - the starting index
      `limit` - the upper-bound (exclusive) of index range
    Returns:
      a mask with out-of-range lanes unset
    See Also:
      - `VectorMask.indexInRange(int, int)`

  - ### indexInRange

    VectorMask<E> indexInRange(long offset, long limit)
    Returns a mask of this species where only the lanes at index N such that the adjusted index `N+offset` is in the range `[0..limit-1]` are set.

    This method returns the value of the expression `maskAll(true).indexInRange(offset, limit)`

    Parameters:
      `offset` - the starting index
      `limit` - the upper-bound (exclusive) of index range
    Returns:
      a mask with out-of-range lanes unset
    Since:
      19
    See Also:
      - `VectorMask.indexInRange(long, long)`

  - ### check

    <F> VectorSpecies<F> check(Class<F> elementType)
    Checks that this species has the given element type, and returns this species unchanged. The effect is similar to this pseudocode: `elementType == elementType() ? this : throw new ClassCastException()`.
    Type Parameters:
      `F` - the boxed element type of the required lane type
    Parameters:
      `elementType` - the required lane type
    Returns:
      the same species
    Throws:
      `ClassCastException` - if the species has the wrong element type
    See Also:
      - `Vector.check(Class)`
      - `Vector.check(VectorSpecies)`

  - ### partLimit

    int partLimit(VectorSpecies<?> outputSpecies, boolean lanewise)
    Given this species and a second one, reports the net expansion or contraction of a (potentially) resizing reinterpretation cast or `lane-wise conversion` from this species to the second. The sign and magnitude of the return value depends on the size difference between the proposed input and output shapes, and (optionally, if `lanewise` is true) also on the size difference between the proposed input and output lanes.
    - First, a logical result size is determined. If `lanewise` is false, this size that of the input `VSHAPE`. If `lanewise` is true, the logical result size is the product of the input `VLENGTH` times the size of the output `ETYPE`.
    - Next, the logical result size is compared against the size of the proposed output shape, to see how it will fit.
    - If the logical result fits precisely in the output shape, the return value is zero, signifying no net expansion or contraction.
    - If the logical result would overflow the output shape, the return value is the ratio (greater than one) of the logical result size to the (smaller) output size. This ratio can be viewed as measuring the proportion of "dropped input bits" which must be deleted from the input in order for the result to fit in the output vector. It is also the part limit, a upper exclusive limit on the `part` parameter to a method that would transform the input species to the output species.
    - If the logical result would drop into the output shape with room to spare, the return value is a negative number whose absolute value the ratio (greater than one) between the output size and the (smaller) logical result size. This ratio can be viewed as measuring the proportion of "extra padding bits" which must be added to the logical result to fill up the output vector. It is also the part limit, an exclusive lower limit on the `part` parameter to a method that would transform the input species to the output species.
    Parameters:
      `outputSpecies` - the proposed output species
      `lanewise` - whether to take lane sizes into account
    Returns:
      an indication of the size change, as a signed ratio or zero
    See Also:
      - `Vector.reinterpretShape(VectorSpecies,int)`
      - `Vector.convertShape(VectorOperators.Conversion,VectorSpecies,int)`

  - ### withLanes

    <F> VectorSpecies<F> withLanes(Class<F> newType)
    Finds a species with the given element type and the same shape as this species. Returns the same value as `VectorSpecies.of(newType, this.vectorShape())`.
    Type Parameters:
      `F` - the boxed element type
    Parameters:
      `newType` - the new element type
    Returns:
      a species for the new element type and the same shape
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if no such species exists for the given combination of element type and shape or if the given type is not a valid `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `withShape(VectorShape)`
      - `of(Class, VectorShape)`

  - ### withShape

    VectorSpecies<E> withShape(VectorShape newShape)
    Finds a species with the given shape and the same elementType as this species. Returns the same value as `VectorSpecies.of(this.elementType(), newShape)`.
    Parameters:
      `newShape` - the new shape
    Returns:
      a species for the same element type and the new shape
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if no such species exists for the given combination of element type and shape
    See Also:
      - `withLanes(Class)`
      - `of(Class, VectorShape)`

  - ### of

    static <E> VectorSpecies<E> of(Class<E> elementType, VectorShape shape)
    Finds a species for an element type and shape.
    Type Parameters:
      `E` - the boxed element type
    Parameters:
      `elementType` - the element type
      `shape` - the shape
    Returns:
      a species for the given element type and shape
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if no such species exists for the given combination of element type and shape or if the given type is not a valid `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `withLanes(Class)`
      - `withShape(VectorShape)`

  - ### ofLargestShape

    static <E> VectorSpecies<E> ofLargestShape(Class<E> etype)
    Finds the largest vector species of the given element type.

    The returned species is a species chosen by the platform that has a shape with the largest possible bit-size for the given element type. The underlying vector shape might not support other lane types on some platforms, which may limit the applicability of reinterpretation casts. Vector algorithms which require reinterpretation casts will be more portable if they use the platform's preferred species.

    Type Parameters:
      `E` - the boxed element type
    Parameters:
      `etype` - the element type
    Returns:
      a preferred species for an element type
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if no such species exists for the element type or if the given type is not a valid `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `ofPreferred(Class)`

  - ### ofPreferred

    static <E> VectorSpecies<E> ofPreferred(Class<E> etype)
    Finds the species preferred by the current platform for a given vector element type. This is the same value as `VectorSpecies.of(etype, VectorShape.preferredShape())`.

    This species is chosen by the platform so that it has the largest possible shape that supports all lane element types. This has the following implications:

    - The various preferred species for different element types will have the same underlying shape.
    - All vectors created from preferred species will have a common bit-size and information capacity.
    - Reinterpretation casts between vectors of preferred species will neither truncate lanes nor fill them with default values.
    - For any particular element type, some platform might possibly provide a larger vector shape that (as a trade-off) does not support all possible element types.
    Implementation Note:
      On many platforms there is no behavioral difference between `ofLargestShape` and `ofPreferred`, because the preferred shape is usually also the largest available shape for every lane type. Therefore, most vector algorithms will perform well without `ofLargestShape`.
    Type Parameters:
      `E` - the boxed element type
    Parameters:
      `etype` - the element type
    Returns:
      a preferred species for this element type
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if no such species exists for the element type or if the given type is not a valid `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `Vector.reinterpretShape(VectorSpecies,int)`
      - `VectorShape.preferredShape()`
      - `ofLargestShape(Class)`

  - ### elementSize

    static int elementSize(Class<?> elementType)
    Returns the bit-size of the given vector element type (`ETYPE`). The element type must be a valid `ETYPE`, not a wrapper type or other object type. The element type argument must be a mirror for a valid vector `ETYPE`, such as `byte.class`, `int.class`, or `double.class`. The bit-size of such a type is the `SIZE` constant for the corresponding wrapper class, such as `Byte.SIZE`, or `Integer.SIZE`, or `Double.SIZE`.
    Parameters:
      `elementType` - a vector element type (an `ETYPE`)
    Returns:
      the bit-size of `elementType`, such as 32 for `int.class`
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the given `elementType` argument is not a valid vector `ETYPE`

  - ### zero

    Vector<E> zero()
    Returns a vector of this species where all lane elements are set to the default primitive value, `(ETYPE)0`. Equivalent to `IntVector.zero(this)` or an equivalent `zero` method, on the vector type corresponding to this species.
    Returns:
      a zero vector of the given species
    See Also:
      - `IntVector.zero(VectorSpecies)`
      - `FloatVector.zero(VectorSpecies)`

  - ### fromArray

    Vector<E> fromArray(Object a, int offset)
    Returns a vector of this species where lane elements are initialized from the given array at the given offset. The array must be of the correct `ETYPE`. Equivalent to `IntVector.fromArray(this,a,offset)` or an equivalent `fromArray` method, on the vector type corresponding to this species.
    Parameters:
      `a` - an array of the `ETYPE` for this species
      `offset` - the index of the first lane value to load
    Returns:
      a vector of the given species filled from the array
    Throws:
      `IndexOutOfBoundsException` - if `offset+N < 0` or `offset+N >= a.length` for any lane `N` in the vector
    See Also:
      - `IntVector.fromArray(VectorSpecies,int[],int)`
      - `FloatVector.fromArray(VectorSpecies,float[],int)`

  - ### fromMemorySegment

    Vector<E> fromMemorySegment(MemorySegmentPREVIEW ms, long offset, ByteOrder bo)
    Loads a vector of this species from a memory segmentPREVIEW starting at an offset into the memory segment. Bytes are composed into primitive lane elements according to the specified byte order. The vector is arranged into lanes according to memory ordering.

    Equivalent to `IntVector.fromMemorySegment(this,ms,offset,bo)`, on the vector type corresponding to this species.

    Parameters:
      `ms` - the memory segment
      `offset` - the offset into the memory segment
      `bo` - the intended byte order
    Returns:
      a vector of the given species filled from the memory segment
    Throws:
      `IndexOutOfBoundsException` - if `offset+N*ESIZE < 0` or `offset+(N+1)*ESIZE > a.length` for any lane `N` in the vector
    Since:
      19
    See Also:
      - `IntVector.fromMemorySegment(VectorSpecies, java.lang.foreign.MemorySegment, long, java.nio.ByteOrder)`PREVIEW
      - `FloatVector.fromMemorySegment(VectorSpecies, java.lang.foreign.MemorySegment, long, java.nio.ByteOrder)`PREVIEW

  - ### loadMask

    VectorMask<E> loadMask(boolean[] bits, int offset)
    Returns a mask of this species where lane elements are initialized from the given array at the given offset. Equivalent to `VectorMask.fromArray(this,a,offset)`.
    Parameters:
      `bits` - the `boolean` array
      `offset` - the offset into the array
    Returns:
      the mask loaded from the `boolean` array
    Throws:
      `IndexOutOfBoundsException` - if `offset+N < 0` or `offset+N >= a.length` for any lane `N` in the vector mask
    See Also:
      - `VectorMask.fromArray(VectorSpecies,boolean[],int)`

  - ### maskAll

    VectorMask<E> maskAll(boolean bit)
    Returns a mask of this species, where each lane is set or unset according to given single boolean, which is broadcast to all lanes.
    Parameters:
      `bit` - the given mask bit to be replicated
    Returns:
      a mask where each lane is set or unset according to the given bit
    See Also:
      - `Vector.maskAll(boolean)`

  - ### broadcast

    Vector<E> broadcast(long e)
    Returns a vector of the given species where all lane elements are set to the primitive value `e`.

    This method returns the value of this expression: `EVector.broadcast(this, (ETYPE)e)`, where `EVector` is the vector class specific to the the `ETYPE` of this species. The `long` value must be accurately representable by `ETYPE`, so that `e==(long)(ETYPE)e`.

    Parameters:
      `e` - the value to broadcast
    Returns:
      a vector where all lane elements are set to the primitive value `e`
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the given `long` value cannot be represented by the vector species `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `Vector.broadcast(long)`
      - `checkValue(long)`

  - ### checkValue

    long checkValue(long e)
    Checks that this species can represent the given element value, and returns the value unchanged. The `long` value must be accurately representable by the `ETYPE` of the vector species, so that `e==(long)(ETYPE)e`. The effect is similar to this pseudocode: `e == (long)(ETYPE)e ? e : throw new IllegalArgumentException()`.
    Parameters:
      `e` - the value to be checked
    Returns:
      `e`
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if the given `long` value cannot be represented by the vector species `ETYPE`
    See Also:
      - `broadcast(long)`

  - ### shuffleFromValues

    VectorShuffle<E> shuffleFromValues(int... sourceIndexes)
    Creates a shuffle for this species from a series of source indexes.

    For each shuffle lane, where `N` is the shuffle lane index, the `N`th index value is validated against the species `VLENGTH`, and (if invalid) is partially wrapped to an exceptional index in the range `[-VLENGTH..-1]`.

    Parameters:
      `sourceIndexes` - the source indexes which the shuffle will draw from
    Returns:
      a shuffle where each lane's source index is set to the given `int` value, partially wrapped if exceptional
    Throws:
      `IndexOutOfBoundsException` - if `sourceIndexes.length != VLENGTH`
    See Also:
      - `VectorShuffle.fromValues(VectorSpecies,int...)`

  - ### shuffleFromArray

    VectorShuffle<E> shuffleFromArray(int[] sourceIndexes, int offset)
    Creates a shuffle for this species from an `int` array starting at an offset.

    For each shuffle lane, where `N` is the shuffle lane index, the array element at index `i + N` is validated against the species `VLENGTH`, and (if invalid) is partially wrapped to an exceptional index in the range `[-VLENGTH..-1]`.

    Parameters:
      `sourceIndexes` - the source indexes which the shuffle will draw from
      `offset` - the offset into the array
    Returns:
      a shuffle where each lane's source index is set to the given `int` value, partially wrapped if exceptional
    Throws:
      `IndexOutOfBoundsException` - if `offset < 0`, or `offset > sourceIndexes.length - VLENGTH`
    See Also:
      - `VectorShuffle.fromArray(VectorSpecies,int[],int)`

  - ### shuffleFromOp

    VectorShuffle<E> shuffleFromOp(IntUnaryOperator fn)
    Creates a shuffle for this species from the successive values of an operator applied to the range `[0..VLENGTH-1]`.

    For each shuffle lane, where `N` is the shuffle lane index, the `N`th index value is validated against the species `VLENGTH`, and (if invalid) is partially wrapped to an exceptional index in the range `[-VLENGTH..-1]`.

    Care should be taken to ensure `VectorShuffle` values produced from this method are consumed as constants to ensure optimal generation of code. For example, shuffle values can be held in `static final` fields or loop-invariant local variables.

    This method behaves as if a shuffle is created from an array of mapped indexes as follows:

           int[] a = new int[VLENGTH];
           for (int i = 0; i < a.length; i++) {
               a[i] = fn.applyAsInt(i);
           }
           return VectorShuffle.fromArray(this, a, 0);

    Parameters:
      `fn` - the lane index mapping function
    Returns:
      a shuffle of mapped indexes
    See Also:
      - `VectorShuffle.fromOp(VectorSpecies,IntUnaryOperator)`

  - ### iotaShuffle

    VectorShuffle<E> iotaShuffle(int start, int step, boolean wrap)
    Creates a shuffle using source indexes set to sequential values starting from `start` and stepping by the given `step`.

    This method returns the value of the expression `VectorSpecies.shuffleFromOp(i -> R(start + i * step))`, where `R` is `wrapIndex` if `wrap` is true, and is the identity function otherwise.

    If `wrap` is false each index is validated against the species `VLENGTH`, and (if invalid) is partially wrapped to an exceptional index in the range `[-VLENGTH..-1]`. Otherwise, if `wrap` is true, also reduce each index, as if by `wrapIndex`, to the valid range `[0..VLENGTH-1]`.

    API Note:
      The `wrap` parameter should be set to `true` if invalid source indexes should be wrapped. Otherwise, setting it to `false` allows invalid source indexes to be range-checked by later operations such as `unary rearrange`.
    Parameters:
      `start` - the starting value of the source index sequence, typically `0`
      `step` - the difference between adjacent source indexes, typically `1`
      `wrap` - whether to wrap resulting indexes modulo `VLENGTH`
    Returns:
      a shuffle of sequential lane indexes
    See Also:
      - `VectorShuffle.iota(VectorSpecies,int,int,boolean)`

  - ### toString

    String toString()
    Returns a string of the form "Species[ETYPE, VLENGTH, SHAPE]", where `ETYPE` is the primitive lane type, `VLENGTH` is the vector lane count associated with the species, and `SHAPE` is the vector shape associated with the species.
    Overrides:
      `toString` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      a string of the form "Species[ETYPE, VLENGTH, SHAPE]"

  - ### equals

    boolean equals(Object obj)
    Indicates whether this species is identical to some other object. Two species are identical only if they have the same shape and same element type.
    Overrides:
      `equals` in class `Object`
    Parameters:
      `obj` - the reference object with which to compare.
    Returns:
      whether this species is identical to some other object
    See Also:
      - `Object.hashCode()`
      - `HashMap`

  - ### hashCode

    int hashCode()
    Returns a hash code value for the species, based on the vector shape and element type.
    Overrides:
      `hashCode` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      a hash code value for this species
    See Also:
      - `Object.equals(java.lang.Object)`
      - `System.identityHashCode(java.lang.Object)`