[dart-misc] Dart 2 - Function type syntax

[kc]

It looks like Dart is sticking with lhs type annotations with a tweak re
function type syntax:

https://github.com/dart-lang/sdk/issues/29404

My suggestion is that maybe Call (or Callable) would be better than
Function. Matches the 'call' method on Callable objects and indicates not
only functions but tear-off methods/constructors. Also short.

The github issue mentions putting the return type of functions/methods on
the rhs. This is like fidl - the Fuchsia Interface Definition Language.
Given the centrality of Flutter/Fuchsia to Dart going forward is there a
case for synchronising the Dart syntax and fidl where possible. Lessen the
friction or mismatch.

K.

['Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc]

Post by kc
It looks like Dart is sticking with lhs type annotations with a tweak re
https://github.com/dart-lang/sdk/issues/29404
My suggestion is that maybe Call (or Callable) would be better than
Function. Matches the 'call' method on Callable objects and indicates not
only functions but tear-off methods/constructors. Also short.

I'm not sure that distinction is necessary. Once a method (or constructor)
is torn-off, it is effectively a function.
I don't buy that they are shorter either. If we compare "Func" vs "Call",
and "Function" vs "Callable", then "Function" (or "Func") is at least as
short.
Fwiw, "Call" doesn't reflect the type of the object. (It's not a "call"
object).

Post by kc
The github issue mentions putting the return type of functions/methods on
the rhs. This is like fidl - the Fuchsia Interface Definition Language.
Given the centrality of Flutter/Fuchsia to Dart going forward is there a
case for synchronising the Dart syntax and fidl where possible. Lessen the
friction or mismatch.

The issue wants to move the type variable declaration more to the left.
Something like: `<T> T Function()` instead of `T Function<T>()`.

I don't see any easy way to do this. We discussed (at length) moving the
return-type to the right (which would incidentally solve the issue), but
ended up with the current syntax, because the syntax didn't fit nicely the
language and came with other problems (especially, once we add nullability).

Post by kc
K.
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[kc]

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
It looks like Dart is sticking with lhs type annotations with a tweak re
https://github.com/dart-lang/sdk/issues/29404
My suggestion is that maybe Call (or Callable) would be better than
Function. Matches the 'call' method on Callable objects and indicates not
only functions but tear-off methods/constructors. Also short.

I'm not sure that distinction is necessary. Once a method (or constructor)
is torn-off, it is effectively a function.
I don't buy that they are shorter either. If we compare "Func" vs "Call",
and "Function" vs "Callable", then "Function" (or "Func") is at least as
short.
Fwiw,

'Call' eyeballs well imo and stands out. 'Func' also stands out vs
'Function'. Though maybe not as aesthetic.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc
"Call" doesn't reflect the type of the object. (It's not a "call" object).

Sure. I get that.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
The github issue mentions putting the return type of functions/methods on
the rhs. This is like fidl - the Fuchsia Interface Definition Language.
Given the centrality of Flutter/Fuchsia to Dart going forward is there a
case for synchronising the Dart syntax and fidl where possible. Lessen the
friction or mismatch.

The issue wants to move the type variable declaration more to the left.
Something like: `<T> T Function()` instead of `T Function<T>()`.
I don't see any easy way to do this. We discussed (at length) moving the
return-type to the right (which would incidentally solve the issue), but
ended up with the current syntax, because the syntax didn't fit nicely the
language and came with other problems (especially, once we add nullability).

OK. Devs are becoming increasingly aware of FuchsiaOS and the more Dart
seems first class and orthogonal to Fuchsia the better.

K.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
K.
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['Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc]

Post by kc

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
It looks like Dart is sticking with lhs type annotations with a tweak re
https://github.com/dart-lang/sdk/issues/29404
My suggestion is that maybe Call (or Callable) would be better than
Function. Matches the 'call' method on Callable objects and indicates not
only functions but tear-off methods/constructors. Also short.

I'm not sure that distinction is necessary. Once a method (or
constructor) is torn-off, it is effectively a function.
I don't buy that they are shorter either. If we compare "Func" vs "Call",
and "Function" vs "Callable", then "Function" (or "Func") is at least as
short.
Fwiw,

'Call' eyeballs well imo and stands out. 'Func' also stands out vs
'Function'. Though maybe not as aesthetic.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc
"Call" doesn't reflect the type of the object. (It's not a "call" object).

Sure. I get that.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
The github issue mentions putting the return type of functions/methods
on the rhs. This is like fidl - the Fuchsia Interface Definition Language.
Given the centrality of Flutter/Fuchsia to Dart going forward is there a
case for synchronising the Dart syntax and fidl where possible. Lessen the
friction or mismatch.

The issue wants to move the type variable declaration more to the left.
Something like: `<T> T Function()` instead of `T Function<T>()`.
I don't see any easy way to do this. We discussed (at length) moving the
return-type to the right (which would incidentally solve the issue), but
ended up with the current syntax, because the syntax didn't fit nicely the
language and came with other problems (especially, once we add nullability).

OK. Devs are becoming increasingly aware of FuchsiaOS and the more Dart
seems first class and orthogonal to Fuchsia the better.

I agree. However, I think it's more important to have the semantics right.
For example, Fidl (or at least Mojo) has nullable types. It's much more
important to get feature parity there, than with the syntax. Converting
syntax from one to the other is trivial.

Fwiw, at some point I worked on integrating Mojo into Dart [0] [1], to make
it the preferred cross-isolate communication mechanism. I didn't have
enough time to really finish it, but I would like to eventually do the same
for Fidl.

[0] https://github.com/floitschG/mojo-pkg/tree/isolate/lib
[1] https://github.com/floitschG/mojom-standalone

Post by kc
K.

Post by 'Florian Loitsch' via Dart Misc

Post by kc
K.
--
For other discussions, see https://groups.google.com/a/dartlang.org/
For HOWTO questions, visit http://stackoverflow.com/tags/dart
To file a bug report or feature request, go to
http://www.dartbug.com/new
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--

For other discussions, see https://groups.google.com/a/dartlang.org/
For HOWTO questions, visit http://stackoverflow.com/tags/dart
To file a bug report or feature request, go to http://www.dartbug.com/new
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