For example look at this way to do DI type checked...

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[raulraja]

For example look at this way to do DI type checked by the compiler and eliminating the need for DI frameworks:

interface Context<A> {
  fun A.config(): Config
}

package prod

object ProdContext: Context<Service> {
  fun Service.config(): Config = ProdConfig
}

package test

object TestContext: Context<Service> {
  fun Service.config(): Config = TestConfig
}

package prod

service.config() // ProdConfig

package test

service.config() // TestConfig

[dave08]

What can't be done now with regular Kotlin from this example? I'm not catching...

[raulraja]

Given the same object and imports in scope the instance providing the configuration is different and lack of its evidence is a compile time error when attempting to use config()

[dave08]

Do how should it be provided, I mean, what syntax are you adding to do that resolution? I don't see a difference in the sample code you posted?

[raulraja]

ProdContext and TestContext are two different instances that add the Context behavior to all Service types.

[raulraja]

if you import the prod instance into scope config() returns ProdConfig if you import the test instance it returns instad TestConfig

[dave08]

If one does that now (before this new feature is implemented, it'll be an error? I understand what you're trying to obtain, I'm just not understanding the syntax difference, and what's missing from the way things work now...

[raulraja]

yes there is not current support in Kotlin for type classes

[dave08]

@raulraja Sorry for the question, but which part of the code above do you call type classes? The `object`s already exist in the lang., maybe you mean type object ProdContext: Context<Service>?

[raulraja]

Type classes is when you provide an instance of a paramteric interface where the type argument is a type

[raulraja]

and then the compiler resolves that instances for you automatically

[raulraja]

this allows you to add new behaviors a la cart where needed

[raulraja]

it also allows you to add ad hoc polymorphism

[raulraja]

fun <A> config(): Config given Context<A> = A.config()

[raulraja]

config<ProdService>() //compiles
config<TestService>() //compiles
config<CloudService>() //does not compile because no `Context<CloudService>()` is found in scope.

[raulraja]

The KEEP has many other examples of potential usages

[raulraja]

Basically with type classes you don't need a DI framework because the compiler can resolve your dependency graph at compile time

[raulraja]

That is why in Scala and other langs that support type classes or implicits nobody uses Dagger, Guice,...

[raulraja]

The compiler provides Dependency Injection based on instance evidences

[dave08]

I'm starting to understand, thanks! Where's that KEEP?

[raulraja]

https://github.com/Kotlin/KEEP/pull/87