pub enum Variance {
    Covariant,
    Invariant,
    Contravariant,
}
Expand description

Variance

Variants

Covariant

a <: b

Invariant

a == b

Contravariant

b <: a

Implementations

a.xform(b) combines the variance of a context with the variance of a type with the following meaning. If we are in a context with variance a, and we encounter a type argument in a position with variance b, then a.xform(b) is the new variance with which the argument appears.

Example 1:

*mut Vec<i32>

Here, the “ambient” variance starts as covariant. *mut T is invariant with respect to T, so the variance in which the Vec<i32> appears is Covariant.xform(Invariant), which yields Invariant. Now, the type Vec<T> is covariant with respect to its type argument T, and hence the variance of the i32 here is Invariant.xform(Covariant), which results (again) in Invariant.

Example 2:

fn(*const Vec<i32>, *mut Vec<i32)

The ambient variance is covariant. A fn type is contravariant with respect to its parameters, so the variance within which both pointer types appear is Covariant.xform(Contravariant), or Contravariant. *const T is covariant with respect to T, so the variance within which the first Vec<i32> appears is Contravariant.xform(Covariant) or Contravariant. The same is true for its i32 argument. In the *mut T case, the variance of Vec<i32> is Contravariant.xform(Invariant), and hence the outermost type is Invariant with respect to Vec<i32> (and its i32 argument).

Source: Figure 1 of “Taming the Wildcards: Combining Definition- and Use-Site Variance” published in PLDI’11. (Doc from rustc)

Converts Covariant into Contravariant and vice-versa. Invariant stays the same.

Trait Implementations

Returns a copy of the value. Read more

Performs copy-assignment from source. Read more

Formats the value using the given formatter. Read more

Feeds this value into the given Hasher. Read more

Feeds a slice of this type into the given Hasher. Read more

This method tests for self and other values to be equal, and is used by ==. Read more

This method tests for !=.

Auto Trait Implementations

Blanket Implementations

Gets the TypeId of self. Read more

Immutably borrows from an owned value. Read more

Mutably borrows from an owned value. Read more

Cast a value to type U using CastTo.

Returns the argument unchanged.

Calls U::from(self).

That is, this conversion is whatever the implementation of From<T> for U chooses to do.

The resulting type after obtaining ownership.

Creates owned data from borrowed data, usually by cloning. Read more

🔬 This is a nightly-only experimental API. (toowned_clone_into)

Uses borrowed data to replace owned data, usually by cloning. Read more

The type returned in the event of a conversion error.

Performs the conversion.

The type returned in the event of a conversion error.

Performs the conversion.