add support for wildcards in variable vectors

doc/src/fix_ave_correlate.rst

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Syntax
        f_ID = global scalar calculated by a fix with ID
        f_ID[I] = Ith component of global vector calculated by a fix with ID, I can include wildcard (see below)
        v_name = global value calculated by an equal-style variable with name
-       v_name[I] = Ith component of a vector-style variable with name
+       v_name[I] = Ith component of a vector-style variable with name, I can include wildcard (see below)
 
 * zero or more keyword/arg pairs may be appended
 * keyword = *type* or *ave* or *start* or *prefactor* or *file* or *overwrite* or *title1* or *title2* or *title3*
@@ -105,15 +105,17 @@ individual fixes for info on which ones produce such values.
 ones that can be used with this fix.  Variables of style *atom* cannot
 be used, since they produce per-atom values.
 
-Note that for values from a compute or fix, the bracketed index I can
+----------
-be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to effectively
+
-specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or "\*n" or "n\*" or
+For input values from a compute or fix or variable , the bracketed
-"m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* = scalar) or the
+index I can be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to
-number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector), then an asterisk
+effectively specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or
-with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.  A leading
+"\*n" or "n\*" or "m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* =
-asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A trailing
+scalar) or the number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector),
-asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle asterisk
+then an asterisk with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.
-means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
+A leading asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A
+trailing asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle
+asterisk means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
 
 Using a wildcard is the same as if the individual elements of the
 vector had been listed one by one.  E.g. these 2 fix ave/correlate
@@ -128,6 +130,14 @@ values.
              c_myPress[1] c_myPress[2] c_myPress[3] &
              c_myPress[4] c_myPress[5] c_myPress[6]
 
+.. note::
+
+   For a vector-style variable, only the wildcard forms "\*n" or
+   "m\*n" are allowed.  You must specify the upper bound, because
+   vector-style variable lengths are not determined until the variable
+   is evaluated.  If n is specified larger than the vector length
+   turns out to be, zeroes are output for missing vector values.
+
 ----------
 
 The *Nevery*, *Nrepeat*, and *Nfreq* arguments specify on what

doc/src/fix_ave_histo.rst

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Syntax
        f_ID = scalar or vector calculated by a fix with ID
        f_ID[I] = Ith component of vector or Ith column of array calculated by a fix with ID, I can include wildcard (see below)
        v_name = value(s) calculated by an equal-style or vector-style or atom-style variable with name
-       v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name
+       v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name, I can include wildcard (see below)
 
 * zero or more keyword/arg pairs may be appended
 * keyword = *mode* or *file* or *ave* or *start* or *beyond* or *overwrite* or *title1* or *title2* or *title3*
@@ -120,15 +120,27 @@ If *mode* = vector, then the input values must be vectors, or arrays
 with a bracketed term appended, indicating the Ith column of the array
 is used.
 
-Note that for values from a compute or fix, the bracketed index I can
+If the fix ave/histo/weight command is used, exactly two values must
-be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to effectively
+be specified.  If the values are vectors, they must be the same
-specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or "\*n" or "n\*" or
+length.  The first value (a scalar or vector) is what is histogrammed
-"m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* = scalar) or the
+into bins, in the same manner the fix ave/histo command operates.  The
-number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector), then an asterisk
+second value (a scalar or vector) is used as a "weight".  This means
-with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.  A leading
+that instead of each value tallying a "1" to its bin, the
-asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A trailing
+corresponding weight is tallied.  E.g. The Nth entry (weight) in the
-asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle asterisk
+second vector is tallied to the bin corresponding to the Nth entry in
-means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
+the first vector.
+
+----------
+
+For input values from a compute or fix or variable, the bracketed
+index I can be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to
+effectively specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or
+"\*n" or "n\*" or "m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* =
+scalar) or the number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector),
+then an asterisk with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.
+A leading asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A
+trailing asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle
+asterisk means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
 
 Using a wildcard is the same as if the individual elements of the
 vector or columns of the array had been listed one by one.  E.g. these
@@ -141,15 +153,14 @@ vector or columns of the array had been listed one by one.  E.g. these
    fix 1 all ave/histo 100 1 100 -10.0 10.0 100 c_myCOM[*] file tmp1.com mode vector
    fix 2 all ave/histo 100 1 100 -10.0 10.0 100 c_myCOM[1] c_myCOM[2] c_myCOM[3] file tmp2.com mode vector
 
-If the fix ave/histo/weight command is used, exactly two values must
+.. note::
-be specified.  If the values are vectors, they must be the same
+
-length.  The first value (a scalar or vector) is what is histogrammed
+   For a vector-style variable, only the wildcard forms "\*n" or
-into bins, in the same manner the fix ave/histo command operates.  The
+   "m\*n" are allowed.  You must specify the upper bound, because
-second value (a scalar or vector) is used as a "weight".  This means
+   vector-style variable lengths are not determined until the variable
-that instead of each value tallying a "1" to its bin, the
+   is evaluated.  If n is specified larger than the vector length"\*n"
-corresponding weight is tallied.  E.g. The Nth entry (weight) in the
+   or "n\*" or "m\*n".  turns out to be, zeroes are output for missing
-second vector is tallied to the bin corresponding to the Nth entry in
+   vector values.
-the first vector.
 
 ----------
 

doc/src/fix_ave_time.rst

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Syntax
        f_ID = global scalar or vector calculated by a fix with ID
        f_ID[I] = Ith component of global vector or Ith column of global array calculated by a fix with ID, I can include wildcard (see below)
        v_name = value(s) calculated by an equal-style or vector-style variable with name
-       v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name
+       v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name, I can include wildcard (see below)
 
 * zero or more keyword/arg pairs may be appended
 * keyword = *mode* or *file* or *ave* or *start* or *off* or *overwrite* or *title1* or *title2* or *title3*
@@ -113,15 +113,17 @@ with a bracketed term appended, indicating the Ith column of the array
 is used.  All vectors must be the same length, which is the length of
 the vector or number of rows in the array.
 
-Note that for values from a compute or fix, the bracketed index I can
+----------
-be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to effectively
+
-specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or "\*n" or "n\*" or
+For input values from a compute or fix or variable, the bracketed
-"m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* = scalar) or the
+index I can be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index to
-number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector), then an asterisk
+effectively specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or
-with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.  A leading
+"\*n" or "n\*" or "m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* =
-asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A trailing
+scalar) or the number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector),
-asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle asterisk
+then an asterisk with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.
-means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
+A leading asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A
+trailing asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle
+asterisk means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
 
 Using a wildcard is the same as if the individual elements of the
 vector or columns of the array had been listed one by one.  E.g. these
@@ -134,6 +136,15 @@ with 3 columns, each of length 50:
    fix 1 all ave/time 100 1 100 c_myRDF[*] file tmp1.rdf mode vector
    fix 2 all ave/time 100 1 100 c_myRDF[1] c_myRDF[2] c_myRDF[3] file tmp2.rdf mode vector
 
+.. note::
+
+   For a vector-style variable, only the wildcard forms "\*n" or
+   "m\*n" are allowed.  You must specify the upper bound, because
+   vector-style variable lengths are not determined until the variable
+   is evaluated.  If n is specified larger than the vector length"\*n"
+   or "n\*" or "m\*n".  turns out to be, zeroes are output for missing
+   vector values.
+
 ----------
 
 The *Nevery*, *Nrepeat*, and *Nfreq* arguments specify on what

doc/src/thermo_style.rst

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ Syntax
            f_ID[I] = Ith component of global vector calculated by a fix with ID, I can include wildcard (see below)
            f_ID[I][J] = I,J component of global array calculated by a fix with ID
            v_name = value calculated by an equal-style variable with name
-           v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name
+           v_name[I] = value calculated by a vector-style variable with name, I can include wildcard (see below)
 
 Examples
 """"""""
@@ -348,16 +348,16 @@ dimensions *lx*, *ly*, *lz*, *yz*, *xz*, *xy*\ .
 
 ----------
 
-For output values from a compute or fix, the bracketed index I used to
+For output values from a compute or fix or variable, the bracketed
-index a vector, as in *c_ID[I]* or *f_ID[I]*, can be specified
+index I used to index a vector, as in *c_ID[I]* or *f_ID[I]* or
-using a wildcard asterisk with the index to effectively specify
+*v_name[I]*, can be specified using a wildcard asterisk with the index
-multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or "\*n" or "n\*" or "m\*n".
+to effectively specify multiple values.  This takes the form "\*" or
-If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* = scalar) or the number of
+"\*n" or "n\*" or "m\*n".  If N = the size of the vector (for *mode* =
-columns in the array (for *mode* = vector), then an asterisk with no
+scalar) or the number of columns in the array (for *mode* = vector),
-numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.  A leading asterisk
+then an asterisk with no numeric values means all indices from 1 to N.
-means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A trailing asterisk means
+A leading asterisk means all indices from 1 to n (inclusive).  A
-all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle asterisk means all
+trailing asterisk means all indices from n to N (inclusive).  A middle
-indices from m to n (inclusive).
+asterisk means all indices from m to n (inclusive).
 
 Using a wildcard is the same as if the individual elements of the
 vector had been listed one by one.  E.g. these 2 thermo_style commands
@@ -372,6 +372,15 @@ creates a global vector with 6 values.
                 c_myTemp[1] c_myTemp[2] c_myTemp[3] &
                 c_myTemp[4] c_myTemp[5] c_myTemp[6]
 
+
+.. note::
+
+   For a vector-style variable, only the wildcard forms "\*n" or
+   "m\*n" are allowed.  You must specify the upper bound, because
+   vector-style variable lengths are not determined until the variable
+   is evaluated.  If n is specified larger than the vector length
+   turns out to be, zeroes are output for missing vector values.
+
 ----------
 
 The *c_ID* and *c_ID[I]* and *c_ID[I][J]* keywords allow global values

examples/ELASTIC_T/BORN_MATRIX/Silicon/output.in

@@ -136,5 +136,6 @@ variable C46 equal v_F46+v_B[20]
 variable C56 equal v_F56+v_B[21]
 
 thermo		${nthermo}
-thermo_style custom step temp pe press density f_avt f_avp f_avpe v_F11 v_F22 v_F33 v_F44 v_F55 v_F66 v_F12 v_F13 v_F23 v_B[1] v_B[2] v_B[3] v_B[4] v_B[5] v_B[6] v_B[7] v_B[8] v_B[12]
+thermo_style custom step temp pe press density f_avt f_avp f_avpe v_F11 v_F22 v_F33 v_F44 v_F55 v_F66 v_F12 v_F13 v_F23 v_B[*8] v_B[12]
+
 thermo_modify norm no

src/utils.cpp

@@ -19,11 +19,13 @@
 #include "error.h"
 #include "fix.h"
 #include "fmt/chrono.h"
+#include "input.h"
 #include "memory.h"
 #include "modify.h"
 #include "text_file_reader.h"
 #include "universe.h"
 #include "update.h"
+#include "variable.h"
 
 #include <cctype>
 #include <cerrno>
@@ -631,7 +633,7 @@ int utils::expand_args(const char *file, int line, int narg, char **arg, int mod
     // match compute, fix, or custom property array reference with a '*' wildcard
     // number range in the first pair of square brackets
 
-    if (strmatch(word, "^[cf]_\\w+\\[\\d*\\*\\d*\\]") ||
+    if (strmatch(word, "^[cfv]_\\w+\\[\\d*\\*\\d*\\]") ||
         strmatch(word, "^[id]2_\\w+\\[\\d*\\*\\d*\\]")) {
 
       // split off the compute/fix/property ID, the wildcard and trailing text
@@ -669,7 +671,7 @@ int utils::expand_args(const char *file, int line, int narg, char **arg, int mod
           }
         }
 
-        // fix
+      // fix
 
       } else if (word[0] == 'f') {
         auto fix = lmp->modify->get_fix_by_id(id);
@@ -692,8 +694,25 @@ int utils::expand_args(const char *file, int line, int narg, char **arg, int mod
           }
         }
 
-        // only match custom array reference with a '*' wildcard
+      // vector variable
-        // number range in the first pair of square brackets
+
+      } else if (word[0] == 'v') {
+        int index = lmp->input->variable->find(id.c_str());
+
+        // check for global vector/array, peratom array, local array
+
+        if (index >= 0) {
+          if (mode == 0 && lmp->input->variable->vectorstyle(index)) {
+            utils::bounds(file, line, wc, 1, MAXSMALLINT, nlo, nhi, lmp->error);
+            if (nhi < MAXSMALLINT) {
+              nmax = nhi;
+              expandflag = 1;
+            }
+          }
+        }
+
+      // only match custom array reference with a '*' wildcard
+      // number range in the first pair of square brackets
 
       } else if ((word[0] == 'i') || (word[0] == 'd')) {
         int flag, cols;
@@ -716,6 +735,7 @@ int utils::expand_args(const char *file, int line, int narg, char **arg, int mod
     if (expandflag) {
 
       // expand wild card string to nlo/nhi numbers
+
       utils::bounds(file, line, wc, 1, nmax, nlo, nhi, lmp->error);
 
       if (newarg + nhi - nlo + 1 > maxarg) {