(* This file defines nat_cast, an alternative to eq_rect which works only for type nat instead of any type A. The motivation behind nat_cast is that it only matches on proofs in contradictory cases, so functions using nat_cast can always be run inside Coq using cbv, whereas function using eq_rect cannot. *)
Arguments id {A} x.
(* Transport equality, only matching on eq_refl in contradictory cases, to make sure terms using this function reduce *)
Fixpoint nat_cast (P : nat -> Type) {n m} : n = m -> P n -> P m.
refine match n, m return n = m -> P n -> P m with
| O, O => fun _ => id
| S n, S m => fun pf => @nat_cast (fun n => P (S n)) n m (f_equal pred pf)
| _, _ => fun pf => match _ pf : False with end
end;
clear; abstract congruence.
Defined. (* thx Jason *)

Lemma nat_cast_proof_irrel: forall (P : nat -> Type),
forall (n m : nat)  (e1 e2: n = m) (pn: P n),
nat_cast P e1 pn = nat_cast P e2 pn.