replicube-deoptimization-rule

Replicube Code Deoptimization Rule

Purpose

Convert optimized Replicube LUA code into human-readable format by reversing the optimization techniques described in coding.md.

Cursor Rule

When asked to "deoptimize" or "make readable" Replicube LUA code, apply these transformations:

Convert Ternary-like Returns to If-Else Statements

From: return condition and value or 0 To:

if condition then
  return value
end
return 0

From: return condition and value (implicit or 0) To:

if condition then
  return value
end
return 0

Convert Complex Boolean Returns to If-Else

From: return x == y and y == z and 11 or 0 To:

if x == y and y == z then
  return 11
end
return 0

Extract Repeated Calculations to Variables

From: Multiple occurrences of x*x. There must be AT MINIMUM 2 occurrences of each case to extract it, else do NOT extract to a variable. Example:

if x*x > 2 and y*y > 4 then
  -- some code
end
if x*x > 3 and y*y < 6 then
  -- some other code
end

To:

local x_squared = x * x
local y_squared = y * y

if x_squared > 2 and y_squared > 4 then
  -- some code
end
if x_squared > 3 and y_squared < 6 then
  -- some other code
end

Example (of non-conversion due to only a single occurrence): From:

if x*x > 2 and y*y > 4 then
  -- some code
end

To:

-- code is unchanged
if x*x > 2 and y*y > 4 then
  -- some code
end

Add Local Scope for Readability

From: Variables without local scope To: Add local keyword for better readability (even if it increases instruction count)

Prefer abs(x) instead of x*x

From: x*x == squared_value_of_x (optimized absolute value comparison) To: abs(x) == value_of_x or explicit absolute value logic

From: x*x + z*z < value (squared distance calculations) To: Consider if this represents abs(x) + abs(z) < threshold (Manhattan distance) or keep as Euclidean distance.

Note: When x*x appears to be used for absolute value comparisons (especially in small integer ranges), convert back to abs(x) for clarity, taking into account to also update the value compared with. This includes local variables (feel free to rename them accordingly). Example: From:

local x_squared = x*x
local y_squared = y*y

if x_squared < 4 and y_squared < 4 then
  return PEACH
end

to:

local x_abs = abs(x)
local y_abs = abs(y)

if x_abs < 2 and y_abs < 2 then
  return PEACH
end

Another example: From:

if y * y > x * x then
  return YELLOW
end

To:

if abs(y) > abs(x) then
  return YELLOW
end