Step by step simplification in coq?

Question

Is there a way to simplify one step at a time?

Say you have f1 (f2 x) both of which can be simplified in turn via a single simpl, is it pos

Answer 1

You can also use simpl for a specific pattern.

Theorem pred_length : forall n : nat, forall l : list nat,
  pred (length (n :: l)) = length l.
Proof.
 intros.
 simpl length.
 simpl pred.
 reflexivity.
Qed.

In case you have several occurrences of a pattern like length that could be simplified, you can further restrict the outcome of the simplification by giving a position of that occurrence (from left to right), e.g. simpl length at 1 or simpl length at 2 for the first or second occurrence.