Difference between revisions of "List instance"
(taken from Haskell-Cafe) |
m |
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Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
class C a where |
class C a where |
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toX :: a -> X |
toX :: a -> X |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
I can define instances for |
I can define instances for |
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− | <haskell> |
+ | <haskell> |
instance C Int where toX = ... |
instance C Int where toX = ... |
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instance C Double where toX = ... |
instance C Double where toX = ... |
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instance C Tuple where toX = ... |
instance C Tuple where toX = ... |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
but not for Strings, given that they are a synonym for [Char]. Hence: |
but not for Strings, given that they are a synonym for [Char]. Hence: |
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− | <haskell> |
+ | <haskell> |
instance C String where toX = ... |
instance C String where toX = ... |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
results in: |
results in: |
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Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
98? I can create a new wrapper type for strings: |
98? I can create a new wrapper type for strings: |
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− | <haskell> |
+ | <haskell> |
newtype StringWrap = StringWrap String |
newtype StringWrap = StringWrap String |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
and write an instance for that, but then I'll have to litter my code |
and write an instance for that, but then I'll have to litter my code |
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Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
toX :: a -> X |
toX :: a -> X |
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listToX :: [a] -> X |
listToX :: [a] -> X |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
but I believe this says that whenever we can convert a to an <hask>X</hask> we can also |
but I believe this says that whenever we can convert a to an <hask>X</hask> we can also |
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Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
The trick in the Prelude is that <hask>listToX</hask> has a default implementation. |
The trick in the Prelude is that <hask>listToX</hask> has a default implementation. |
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− | If this is not possible |
+ | If this is not possible in your application then introduce a new class like |
<haskell> |
<haskell> |
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class Element a where |
class Element a where |
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listToX :: [a] -> X |
listToX :: [a] -> X |
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− | </haskell> |
+ | </haskell> |
and define instances like |
and define instances like |
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Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
toX = listToX |
toX = listToX |
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</haskell> |
</haskell> |
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+ | . |
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== Source == |
== Source == |
Revision as of 12:05, 22 May 2007
Question
How to make a list type an instance of some type class in Haskell 98?
Haskell 98 does not support instances on particular composed types like String
.
If I have a type class for conversion to a type X:
class C a where
toX :: a -> X
I can define instances for
instance C Int where toX = ...
instance C Double where toX = ...
instance C Tuple where toX = ...
but not for Strings, given that they are a synonym for [Char]. Hence:
instance C String where toX = ...
results in:
Illegal instance declaration for `C String'
(The instance type must be of form (T a b c)
where T is not a synonym, and a,b,c are distinct type variables)
In the instance declaration for `C String'
Is there some type class cleverness that can make this work in haskell 98? I can create a new wrapper type for strings:
newtype StringWrap = StringWrap String
and write an instance for that, but then I'll have to litter my code with calls to this constructor.
I'm aware of the approach taken by class Show in the prelude, which adds a extra method to the class:
class C a where
toX :: a -> X
listToX :: [a] -> X
but I believe this says that whenever we can convert a to an X
we can also
convert [a]
to an X
, whereas I only want [Char]
to be acceptable.
Answer
The trick in the Prelude is that listToX
has a default implementation.
If this is not possible in your application then introduce a new class like
class Element a where
listToX :: [a] -> X
and define instances like
instance Element Char where
listToX = ...
instance Element a => C [a] where
toX = listToX
.
Source
http://www.haskell.org/pipermail/haskell-cafe/2007-May/025742.html