Why can't we implement a trait for a generic T and then for a concrete T in #Rust?

Can't we just resolve to the most concrete implementation? 🤔

#RustLang

@mo8it I believe that feature exists in C++.

... and I'm pretty sure I hate it. It's spooky action at a distance. "Why the hell is this code behaving this way. I'm looking at the trait implementation, it's nothing like what the code is doing... *Oh I see there's another implementation of the trait for a concrete template specialization all the way over here in a different file well I guess my time is worthless then.*

(Note: this wouldn't actually be so bad if C++ had a way to say "For this variable, what function is being called from this line?" But it doesn't, so specialized template implementation suck on toast for discoverability).

@mtomczak I see that it can be confusing, but the language server should be able to resolve to the right implementation, right?

@mo8it Some of the time. We have a huge codebase in a monorepo managed by Bazel rules and it's real easy to push the language server right over trying to understand the whole thing.

I'd say it works about 60% of the time.

Sign in to participate in the conversation
Qoto Mastodon

QOTO: Question Others to Teach Ourselves
An inclusive, Academic Freedom, instance
All cultures welcome.
Hate speech and harassment strictly forbidden.