# structdiff
A lightweight, zero-dependency struct diffing library which allows changed fields to be collected and applied. Derive `Difference` on a struct, then use the `StructDiff` trait to make and apply diffs. Supports optional serialization of the generated diff types with `serde` or `nanoserde` for ease of use.
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[crates_img]: https://img.shields.io/crates/v/structdiff.svg
[crates_lnk]: https://crates.io/crates/structdiff
## Example:
```rust
use structdiff::{Difference, StructDiff};
#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone, Difference)]
struct Example {
field1: f64,
#[difference(skip)]
field2: Vec<i32>,
#[difference(collection_strategy="unordered_array_like")]
field3: BTreeSet<usize>,
}
let first = Example {
field1: 0.0,
field2: vec![],
field3: vec![1, 2, 3].into_iter().collect(),
};
let second = Example {
field1: 3.14,
field2: vec![1],
field3: vec![2, 3, 4].into_iter().collect(),
};
let diffs = first.diff(&second);
// diffs is now a Vec of differences between the two instances,
// with length equal to number of changed/unskipped fields
assert_eq!(diffs.len(), 2);
let diffed = first.apply(diffs);
// diffed is now equal to second, except for skipped field
assert_eq!(diffed.field1, second.field1);
assert_eq!(&diffed.field3, &second.field3);
assert_ne!(diffed, second);
```
For more examples take a look at [integration tests](/tests)
## Derive macro attributes
- `#[difference(skip)]` - Do not consider this field when creating a diff
- `#[difference(recurse)]` - Generate a StructDiff for this field when creating a diff
- `#[difference(collection_strategy = {})]`
- `"unordered_array_like"` - Generates a changeset for array-like collections of items which implement `Hash + Eq`, rather than cloning the entire list. (currently works for `Vec`, `BTreeSet`, `LinkedList`, and `HashSet`)
- `"unordered_map_like"` - Generates a changeset for map-like collections for which the key implements `Hash + Eq`, rather than cloning the entire map. (currently works for `HashMap` and `BTreeMap`)
- `#[difference(map_equality = {})]` - Used with `unordered_map_like`, specifies whether the equality check should consider keys only, or both keys and values
- `"key_only"` - only replace a key-value pair for which the key has changed
- `"key_and_value"` - replace a key-value pair if either the key or value has changed
- `#[difference(setters)]` - Generate setters for all fields in the struct (used on struct)
- Example: for the `field1` of the `Example` struct used above, a function with the signature `set_field1_with_diff(&mut self, value: Option<usize>) -> Option<<Self as StructDiff>::Diff>` will be generated. Useful when a single field will be changed in a struct with many fields, as it saves the comparison of all other fields.
- `#[difference(setter)]` - Generate setters for this struct field (used on field)
- `#[difference(setter_name = {})]` - Use this name instead of the default value when generating a setter for this field (used on field)
## Optional features
- [`nanoserde`, `serde`] - Serialization of `Difference` derived associated types. Allows diffs to easily be sent over network.
- `debug_diffs` - Derive `Debug` on the generated diff type
- `generated_setters` - Enable generation of setters for struct fields. These setters automatically return a diff if a field's value is changed by the assignment.
### Development status
This is being used actively for my own projects, although it's mostly working now. PRs will be accepted for either more tests or functionality.