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Generic associated types in trait paths #79554

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b-naber
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@b-naber b-naber commented Nov 30, 2020

This is the second part of #78978

This should fix:

Fixes #67510
Fixes #68648
Fixes #68649
Fixes #68650
Fixes #68652
Fixes #74684
Fixes #76535
Fixes #79422
Fixes #80433

and implement the remaining functionality needed for #44265

r? @matthewjasper

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Thanks for the pull request, and welcome! The Rust team is excited to review your changes, and you should hear from @matthewjasper (or someone else) soon.

If any changes to this PR are deemed necessary, please add them as extra commits. This ensures that the reviewer can see what has changed since they last reviewed the code. Due to the way GitHub handles out-of-date commits, this should also make it reasonably obvious what issues have or haven't been addressed. Large or tricky changes may require several passes of review and changes.

Please see the contribution instructions for more information.

@rust-highfive rust-highfive added the S-waiting-on-review Status: Awaiting review from the assignee but also interested parties. label Nov 30, 2020
@b-naber b-naber force-pushed the generic-associated-types-in-trait-paths branch from 259402c to 64a9f38 Compare November 30, 2020 09:41
@camelid camelid added A-trait-system Area: Trait system F-generic_associated_types `#![feature(generic_associated_types)]` a.k.a. GATs labels Dec 9, 2020
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bors commented Jan 13, 2021

☔ The latest upstream changes (presumably #77524) made this pull request unmergeable. Please resolve the merge conflicts.

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A general 👍 from me. All in all, these are pretty simple changes. Did notice a couple things though.

@b-naber b-naber force-pushed the generic-associated-types-in-trait-paths branch from 6be173f to f2cb963 Compare January 22, 2021 13:12
compiler/rustc_typeck/src/astconv/mod.rs Outdated Show resolved Hide resolved
src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/gat-in-trait-path.rs Outdated Show resolved Hide resolved
src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-68648-1.rs Outdated Show resolved Hide resolved
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jackh726 commented Feb 1, 2021

I'll take over the review from @matthewjasper since I'm comfortable with this bit of code.

r? @jackh726

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b-naber commented Feb 2, 2021

@jackh726 Thanks for doing this. I had one question regarding your first comment. Will fix the test cases later.

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jackh726 commented Feb 2, 2021

@b-naber can you also check if the repros for #76535, #76826, #77905, #79422, and #80433 pass with this branch? (And if so, add them?)

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b-naber commented Feb 3, 2021

@jackh726 In #76535 there's an error because no lifetime is supplied for the associated item in the assoc ty constraint, these are just type constructors in this case if they define a lifetime in the tyalias. So e.g. Box<dyn for<'a> SuperTrait<SubType<'a> = SubStruct<'a>>> gets rid of the lifetime error. But there's another error related to object safety:

error[E0038]: the trait `SuperTrait` cannot be made into an object
  --> src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-76535.rs:35:15
   |
35 | fn test(arg : Box<dyn for<'a> SuperTrait<SubType<'a> = SubStruct<'a>>>) -> u32 {
   |               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ `SuperTrait` cannot be made into an object
   |
   = help: consider moving `get_sub` to another trait
note: for a trait to be "object safe" it needs to allow building a vtable to allow the call to be resolvable dynamically; for more information visit <https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/items/traits.html#object-safety>
  --> src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-76535.rs:8:37
   |
5  | pub trait SuperTrait {
   |           ---------- this trait cannot be made into an object...
...
8  |     fn get_sub<'a>(&'a mut self) -> Self::SubType<'a>;
   |                                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ...because method `get_sub` references the `Self` type in its return type

I'm not sure whether this is related to this PR. In this commit we remove the subst_supertrait call. I don't completely understand what subst_supertrait does in this context. @matthewjasper told me that we could likely do this:

"Looking at the code there I can't see why we're calling subst_supertrait at all. Replacing the whole map call here and in predicates_reference_self with copied shouldn't change what's happening there."

@nikomatsakis wasn't sure why this call was included there.

Do you see a problem with removing this call?

#79422 is a duplicate of #76535.

#76826 is not related to this PR, because there are not AssocTyConstraints in the code.

#77905 is not a bug, I commented in that issue.

I'll include a test for the reduced example given by @jyn514 #80433, since the original issue included another unrelated error.

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jackh726 commented Feb 3, 2021

In #76535 there's an error because no lifetime is supplied for the associated item in the assoc ty constraint, these are just type constructors in this case if they define a lifetime in the tyalias. So e.g. Box<dyn for<'a> SuperTrait<SubType<'a> = SubStruct<'a>>> gets rid of the lifetime error. But there's another error related to object safety:

Okay, as long as the ICE is gone, you can add that as as test here. I'm curious: I'm assuming we get a "wrong number of lifetimes" error without adding the for<'a>? If so, that's fine. Also, object safety here makes sense because we do reference Self. This test just won't be check-pass, but output seems expected.

I'm not sure whether this is related to this PR.
Do you see a problem with removing this call?

Nope, that change is 100% okay.

#79422 is a duplicate of #76535.

Error seems a bit different, so can you add a test anyways?

#76826 is not related to this PR, because there are not AssocTyConstraints in the code.

👍 thanks, didn't realize that

#77905 is not a bug, I commented in that issue.

The OP does have a bug. fn somefn_gat<T: Foo>(f: for<'a> fn(T::In<'a>) -> T::In<'a>)

I'll include a test for the reduced example given by @jyn514 #80433, since the original issue included another unrelated error.

Can you also include the OP repro? It just won't be check-pass, but that's fine.

@b-naber b-naber force-pushed the generic-associated-types-in-trait-paths branch from f2cb963 to 6aeeb18 Compare February 4, 2021 15:23
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b-naber commented Feb 4, 2021

@jackh726 Addressed your suggestions and rebased.

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b-naber commented Feb 4, 2021

@jackh726 Can you look into #77905? To me it seems as if the compiler should reject that because T is not inferable, but I could be wrong. This seems to be related to GATs or rather to associated types in general.

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jackh726 commented Feb 4, 2021

The tests also don't pass if I remove #![feature(generic_associated_types)], but leave #![allow(incomplete_featues)]?!

What do you mean? You should be able to remove #![allow(incomplete_features)] but leave #![feature(generic_associated_types)] and that should work. You would just need to bless the "GATs are unstable" warning.

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b-naber commented Feb 4, 2021

The tests also don't pass if I remove #![feature(generic_associated_types)], but leave #![allow(incomplete_featues)]?!

What do you mean? You should be able to remove #![allow(incomplete_features)] but leave #![feature(generic_associated_types)] and that should work. You would just need to bless the "GATs are unstable" warning.

If I e.g. only include #![allow(incomplete_features)] in the issue-79422.rs test I get the following (after blessing):

---- [ui] ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.rs stdout ----

The actual stderr differed from the expected stderr.
Actual stderr saved to /Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/build/x86_64-apple-darwin/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422/issue-79422.stderr
Actual stderr saved to /Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.stderr

error: /Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.rs:20: unexpected error: '20:5: 20:39: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]'

error: /Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.rs:26: unexpected error: '26:5: 26:31: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]'

error: /Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.rs:35: unexpected error: '35:5: 35:32: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]'

error: 3 unexpected errors found, 0 expected errors not found
status: exit code: 1
command: "/Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/build/x86_64-apple-darwin/stage1/bin/rustc" "/Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422.rs" "-Zthreads=1" "--target=x86_64-apple-darwin" "--error-format" "json" "-Zui-testing" "-Zdeduplicate-diagnostics=no" "-Zemit-future-incompat-report" "--emit" "metadata" "-C" "prefer-dynamic" "--out-dir" "/Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/build/x86_64-apple-darwin/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422" "-A" "unused" "-Crpath" "-O" "-Cdebuginfo=0" "-Zunstable-options" "-Lnative=/Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/build/x86_64-apple-darwin/native/rust-test-helpers" "-L" "/Users/bn/Documents/rust-local-fork/gat-tp/build/x86_64-apple-darwin/test/ui/generic-associated-types/issue-79422/auxiliary"
unexpected errors (from JSON output): [
    Error {
        line_num: 20,
        kind: Some(
            Error,
        ),
        msg: "20:5: 20:39: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]",
    },
    Error {
        line_num: 26,
        kind: Some(
            Error,
        ),
        msg: "26:5: 26:31: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]",
    },
    Error {
        line_num: 35,
        kind: Some(
            Error,
        ),
        msg: "35:5: 35:32: generic associated types are unstable [E0658]",
    },
]

Do you want be to add error annotations for those unstable errors?

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jackh726 commented Feb 4, 2021

Yes! You would need to add the //~^ the feature `generic_associated_types` is incomplete.

But, honestly, this is just a nit, so r=me when CI is green either way. (Let's just leave it if CI is green; these will get removed at some point anyways)

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b-naber commented Feb 4, 2021

Yes! You would need to add the //~^ the feature `generic_associated_types` is incomplete.

But, honestly, this is just a nit, so r=me when CI is green either way. (Let's just leave it if CI is green; these will get removed at some point anyways)

Ok cool. Thanks for the review.

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jackh726 commented Feb 4, 2021

Thanks for working on this! (And being patient with the review process.)

@bors r+

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bors commented Feb 4, 2021

📌 Commit 12d411f has been approved by jackh726

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bors commented Feb 4, 2021

🌲 The tree is currently closed for pull requests below priority 1000. This pull request will be tested once the tree is reopened.

@bors bors added S-waiting-on-bors Status: Waiting on bors to run and complete tests. Bors will change the label on completion. and removed S-waiting-on-review Status: Awaiting review from the assignee but also interested parties. labels Feb 4, 2021
m-ou-se added a commit to m-ou-se/rust that referenced this pull request Feb 5, 2021
…-trait-paths, r=jackh726

Generic associated types in trait paths

This is the second part of rust-lang#78978

This should fix:

Fixes rust-lang#67510
Fixes rust-lang#68648
Fixes rust-lang#68649
Fixes rust-lang#68650
Fixes rust-lang#68652
Fixes rust-lang#74684
Fixes rust-lang#76535
Fixes rust-lang#79422
Fixes rust-lang#80433

and implement the remaining functionality needed for rust-lang#44265

r? `@matthewjasper`
bors added a commit to rust-lang-ci/rust that referenced this pull request Feb 5, 2021
Rollup of 15 pull requests

Successful merges:

 - rust-lang#79554 (Generic associated types in trait paths)
 - rust-lang#80726 (relax adt unsizing requirements)
 - rust-lang#81307 (Handle `Span`s for byte and raw strings and add more detail )
 - rust-lang#81318 (rustdoc-json: Fix has_body)
 - rust-lang#81456 (Make remote-test-server easier to use with new targets)
 - rust-lang#81497 (rustdoc: Move `display_fn` struct inside `display_fn`)
 - rust-lang#81500 (Remove struct_type from union output)
 - rust-lang#81542 (Expose correct symlink API on WASI)
 - rust-lang#81676 (Add more information to the error code for 'crate not found')
 - rust-lang#81682 (Add additional bitset benchmarks)
 - rust-lang#81730 (Make `Allocator` object-safe)
 - rust-lang#81763 (Cleanup rustdoc pass descriptions a bit)
 - rust-lang#81767 (Update LayoutError/LayoutErr stability attributes)
 - rust-lang#81771 (Indicate change in RSS from start to end of pass in time-passes output)
 - rust-lang#81781 (Fix `install-awscli.sh` error in CI)

Failed merges:

r? `@ghost`
`@rustbot` modify labels: rollup
@bors bors merged commit deec6a9 into rust-lang:master Feb 5, 2021
@rustbot rustbot added this to the 1.51.0 milestone Feb 5, 2021
@b-naber b-naber deleted the generic-associated-types-in-trait-paths branch February 5, 2021 16:12
@jackh726 jackh726 mentioned this pull request May 4, 2022
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bors added a commit to rust-lang-ci/rust that referenced this pull request Sep 13, 2022
…er-errors

Stabilize generic associated types

Closes rust-lang#44265

r? `@nikomatsakis`

# ⚡ Status of the discussion ⚡

* [x] There have been several serious concerns raised, [summarized here](rust-lang#96709 (comment)).
* [x] There has also been a [deep-dive comment](rust-lang#96709 (comment)) explaining some of the "patterns of code" that are enabled by GATs, based on use-cases posted to this thread or on the tracking issue.
* [x] We have modeled some aspects of GATs in [a-mir-formality](https://github.com/nikomatsakis/a-mir-formality) to give better confidence in how they will be resolved in the future. [You can read a write-up here](https://github.com/rust-lang/types-team/blob/master/minutes/2022-07-08-implied-bounds-and-wf-checking.md).
* [x] The major points of the discussion have been [summarized on the GAT initiative repository](https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/mvp.html).
* [x] [FCP has been proposed](rust-lang#96709 (comment)) and we are awaiting final decisions and discussion amidst the relevant team members.

# Stabilization proposal

This PR proposes the stabilization of `#![feature(generic_associated_types)]`. While there a number of future additions to be made and bugs to be fixed (both discussed below), properly doing these will require significant language design and will ultimately likely be backwards-compatible. Given the overwhelming desire to have some form of generic associated types (GATs) available on stable and the stability of the "simple" uses, stabilizing the current subset of GAT features is almost certainly the correct next step.

Tracking issue: rust-lang#44265
Initiative: https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/
RFC: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/1598-generic_associated_types.md
Version: 1.65 (2022-08-22 => beta, 2022-11-03 => stable).

## Motivation

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. Stabilization unblocks probable future language features (e.g. async functions in traits), potential future standard library features (e.g. a `LendingIterator` or some form of `Iterator` with a lifetime generic), and a plethora of user use cases (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it).

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. First, there are many users that have chosen to not use GATs primarily because they are not stable (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it). Second, while language feature desugaring isn't *blocked* on stabilization, it gives more confidence on using the feature. Likewise, library features like `LendingIterator` are not necessarily blocked on stabilization to be implemented unstably; however few, if any, public-facing APIs actually use unstable features.

This feature has a long history of design, discussion, and developement - the RFC was first introduced roughly 6 years ago. While there are still a number of features left to implement and bugs left to fix, it's clear that it's unlikely those will have backwards-incompatibility concerns. Additionally, the bugs that do exist do not strongly impede the most-common use cases.

## What is stabilized

The primary language feature stabilized here is the ability to have generics on associated types, as so. Additionally, where clauses on associated types will now be accepted, regardless if the associated type is generic or not.

```rust
trait ATraitWithGATs {
    type Assoc<'a, T> where T: 'a;
}

trait ATraitWithoutGATs<'a, T> {
    type Assoc where T: 'a;
}
```

When adding an impl for a trait with generic associated types, the generics for the associated type are copied as well. Note that where clauses are allowed both after the specified type and before the equals sign; however, the latter is a warn-by-default deprecation.

```rust
struct X;
struct Y;

impl ATraitWithGATs for X {
    type Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T
      where T: 'a;
}
impl ATraitWithGATs for Y {
    type Assoc<'a, T>
      where T: 'a
    = &'a T;
}
```

To use a GAT in a function, generics are specified on the associated type, as if it was a struct or enum. GATs can also be specified in trait bounds:

```rust
fn accepts_gat<'a, T>(t: &'a T) -> T::Assoc<'a, T>
  where for<'x> T: ATraitWithGATs<Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T> {
    ...
}
```

GATs can also appear in trait methods. However, depending on how they are used, they may confer where clauses on the associated type definition. More information can be found [here](rust-lang#87479). Briefly, where clauses are required when those bounds can be proven in the methods that *construct* the GAT or other associated types that use the GAT in the trait. This allows impls to have maximum flexibility in the types defined for the associated type.

To take a relatively simple example:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Item<'a>;
    type Iterator<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;

    fn iter<'x>(&'x self) -> Self::Iterator<'x>;
    //^ We know that `Self: 'a` for `Iterator<'a>`, so we require that bound on `Iterator`
    //  `Iterator` uses `Self::Item`, so we also require a `Self: 'a` on `Item` too
}
```

A couple well-explained examples are available in a previous [blog post](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html).

## What isn't stabilized/implemented

### Universal type/const quantification

Currently, you can write a bound like `X: for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>`. However, you cannot currently write `for<T> X: Trait<Assoc<T> = T>` or `for<const N> X: Trait<Assoc<N> = [usize; N]>`.

Here is an example where this is needed:

```rust
trait Foo {}

trait Trait {
    type Assoc<F: Foo>;
}

trait Trait2: Sized {
    fn foo<F: Foo, T: Trait<Assoc<F> = F>>(_t: T);
}
```

In the above example, the *caller* must specify `F`, which is likely not what is desired.

### Object-safe GATs

Unlike non-generic associated types, traits with GATs are not currently object-safe. In other words the following are not allowed:

```rust
trait Trait {
    type Assoc<'a>;
}

fn foo(t: &dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>) {}
         //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed

let ty: Box<dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>>;
          //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed
```

### Higher-kinded types

You cannot write currently (and there are no current plans to implement this):

```rust
struct Struct<'a> {}

fn foo(s: for<'a> Struct<'a>) {}
```

## Tests

There are many tests covering GATs that can be found in  `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types`. Here, I'll list (in alphanumeric order) tests highlight some important behavior or contain important patterns.

- `./parse/*`: Parsing of GATs in traits and impls, and the trait path with GATs
- `./collections-project-default.rs`: Interaction with associated type defaults
- `./collections.rs`: The `Collection` pattern
- `./const-generics-gat-in-trait-return-type-*.rs`: Const parameters
- `./constraint-assoc-type-suggestion.rs`: Emit correct syntax in suggestion
- `./cross-crate-bounds.rs`: Ensure we handles bounds across crates the same
- `./elided-in-expr-position.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in return position
- `./gat-in-trait-path-undeclared-lifetime.rs`: Ensure we error on undeclared lifetime in trait path
- `./gat-in-trait-path.rs`: Base trait path case
- `./gat-trait-path-generic-type-arg.rs`: Don't allow shadowing of parameters
- `./gat-trait-path-parenthesised-args.rs`: Don't allow paranthesized args in trait path
- `./generic-associated-types-where.rs`: Ensure that we require where clauses from trait to be met on impl
- `./impl_bounds.rs`: Check that the bounds on GATs in an impl are checked
- `./issue-76826.rs`: `Windows` pattern
- `./issue-78113-lifetime-mismatch-dyn-trait-box.rs`: Implicit 'static diagnostics
- `./issue-84931.rs`: Ensure that we have a where clause on GAT to ensure trait parameter lives long enough
- `./issue-87258_a.rs`: Unconstrained opaque type with TAITs
- `./issue-87429-2.rs`: Ensure we can use bound vars in the bounds
- `./issue-87429-associated-type-default.rs`: Ensure bounds hold with associated type defaults, for both trait and impl
- `./issue-87429-specialization.rs`: Check that bounds hold under specialization
- `./issue-88595.rs`: Under the outlives lint, we require a bound for both trait and GAT lifetime when trait lifetime is used in function
- `./issue-90014.rs`: Lifetime bounds are checked with TAITs
- `./issue-91139.rs`: Under migrate mode, but not NLL, we don't capture implied bounds from HRTB lifetimes used in a function and GATs
- `./issue-91762.rs`: We used to too eagerly pick param env candidates when normalizing with GATs. We now require explicit parameters specified.
- `./issue-95305.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in trait paths
- `./iterable.rs`: `Iterable` pattern
- `./method-unsatified-assoc-type-predicate.rs`: Print predicates with GATs correctly in method resolve error
- `./missing_lifetime_const.rs`: Ensure we must specify lifetime args (not elidable)
- `./missing-where-clause-on-trait.rs`: Ensure we don't allow stricter bounds on impl than trait
- `./parameter_number_and_kind_impl.rs`: Ensure paramters on GAT in impl match GAT in trait
- `./pointer_family.rs`: `PointerFamily` pattern
- `./projection-bound-cycle.rs`: Don't allow invalid cycles to prove bounds
- `./self-outlives-lint.rs`: Ensures that an e.g. `Self: 'a` is written on the traits GAT if that bound can be implied from the GAT usage in the trait
- `./shadowing.rs`: Don't allow lifetime shadowing in params
- `./streaming_iterator.rs`: `StreamingIterator`(`LendingIterator`) pattern
- `./trait-objects.rs`: Disallow trait objects for traits with GATs
- `./variance_constraints.rs`: Require that GAT substs be invariant

## Remaining bugs and open issues

A full list of remaining open issues can be found at: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/labels/F-generic_associated_types

There are some `known-bug` tests in-tree at `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/bugs`.

Here I'll categorize most of those that GAT bugs (or involve a pattern found more with GATs), but not those that include GATs but not a GAT issue in and of itself. (I also won't include issues directly for things listed elsewhere here.)

Using the concrete type of a GAT instead of the projection type can give errors, since lifetimes are chosen to be early-bound vs late-bound.
- rust-lang#85533
- rust-lang#87803

In certain cases, we can run into cycle or overflow errors. This is more generally a problem with associated types.
- rust-lang#87755
- rust-lang#87758

Bounds on an associatd type need to be proven by an impl, but where clauses need to be proven by the usage. This can lead to confusion when users write one when they mean the other.
- rust-lang#87831
- rust-lang#90573

We sometimes can't normalize closure signatures fully. Really an asociated types issue, but might happen a bit more frequently with GATs, since more obvious place for HRTB lifetimes.
- rust-lang#88382

When calling a function, we assign types to parameters "too late", after we already try (and fail) to normalize projections. Another associated types issue that might pop up more with GATs.
- rust-lang#88460
- rust-lang#96230

We don't fully have implied bounds for lifetimes appearing in GAT trait paths, which can lead to unconstrained type errors.
- rust-lang#88526

Suggestion for adding lifetime bounds can suggest unhelpful fixes (`T: 'a` instead of `Self: 'a`), but the next compiler error after making the suggested change is helpful.
- rust-lang#90816
- rust-lang#92096
- rust-lang#95268

We can end up requiring that `for<'a> I: 'a` when we really want `for<'a where I: 'a> I: 'a`. This can leave unhelpful errors than effectively can't be satisfied unless `I: 'static`. Requires bigger changes and not only GATs.
- rust-lang#91693

Unlike with non-generic associated types, we don't eagerly normalize with param env candidates. This is intended behavior (for now), to avoid accidentaly stabilizing picking arbitrary impls.
- rust-lang#91762

Some Iterator adapter patterns (namely `filter`) require Polonius or unsafe to work.
- rust-lang#92985

## Potential Future work

### Universal type/const quantification

No work has been done to implement this. There are also some questions around implied bounds.

###  Object-safe GATs

The intention is to make traits with GATs object-safe. There are some design work to be done around well-formedness rules and general implementation.

### GATified std lib types

It would be helpful to either introduce new std lib traits (like `LendingIterator`) or to modify existing ones (adding a `'a` generic to `Iterator::Item`). There also a number of other candidates, like `Index`/`IndexMut` and `Fn`/`FnMut`/`FnOnce`.

### Reduce the need for `for<'a>`

Seen [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)). One possible syntax:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Iter<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;
}

fn foo<T>() where T: Iterable, T::Item<let 'a>: Display { } //note the `let`!
```

### Better implied bounds on higher-ranked things

Currently if we have a `type Item<'a> where self: 'a`, and a `for<'a> T: Iterator<Item<'a> = &'a ()`, this requires `for<'a> Self: 'a`. Really, we want `for<'a where T: 'a> ...`

There was some mentions of this all the back in the RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

## Alternatives

### Make generics on associated type in bounds a binder

Imagine the bound `for<'a> T: Trait<Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. It might be that `for<'a>` is "too large" and it should instead be `T: Trait<for<'a> Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. Brought up in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)) and in a few places since.

Another related question: Is `for<'a>` the right syntax? Maybe `where<'a>`? Also originally found in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

### Stabilize lifetime GATs first

This has been brought up a few times. The idea is to only allow GATs with lifetime parameters to in initial stabilization. This was probably most useful prior to actual implementation. At this point, lifetimes, types, and consts are all implemented and work. It feels like an arbitrary split without strong reason.

## History

* On 2016-04-30, [RFC opened](rust-lang/rfcs#1598)
* On 2017-09-02, RFC merged and [tracking issue opened](rust-lang#44265)
* On 2017-10-23, [Move Generics from MethodSig to TraitItem and ImplItem](rust-lang#44766)
* On 2017-12-01, [Generic Associated Types Parsing & Name Resolution](rust-lang#45904)
* On 2017-12-15, [https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706](https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706)
* On 2018-04-23, [Feature gate where clauses on associated types](rust-lang#49368)
* On 2018-05-10, [Extend tests for RFC1598 (GAT)](rust-lang#49423)
* On 2018-05-24, [Finish implementing GATs (Chalk)](rust-lang/chalk#134)
* On 2019-12-21, [Make GATs less ICE-prone](rust-lang#67160)
* On 2020-02-13, [fix lifetime shadowing check in GATs](rust-lang#68938)
* On 2020-06-20, [Projection bound validation](rust-lang#72788)
* On 2020-10-06, [Separate projection bounds and predicates](rust-lang#73905)
* On 2021-02-05, [Generic associated types in trait paths](rust-lang#79554)
* On 2021-02-06, [Trait objects do not work with generic associated types](rust-lang#81823)
* On 2021-04-28, [Make traits with GATs not object safe](rust-lang#84622)
* On 2021-05-11, [Improve diagnostics for GATs](rust-lang#82272)
* On 2021-07-16, [Make GATs no longer an incomplete feature](rust-lang#84623)
* On 2021-07-16, [Replace associated item bound vars with placeholders when projecting](rust-lang#86993)
* On 2021-07-26, [GATs: Decide whether to have defaults for `where Self: 'a`](rust-lang#87479)
* On 2021-08-25, [Normalize projections under binders](rust-lang#85499)
* On 2021-08-03, [The push for GATs stabilization](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html)
* On 2021-08-12, [Detect stricter constraints on gats where clauses in impls vs trait](rust-lang#88336)
* On 2021-09-20, [Proposal: Change syntax of where clauses on type aliases](rust-lang#89122)
* On 2021-11-06, [Implementation of GATs outlives lint](rust-lang#89970)
* On 2021-12-29. [Parse and suggest moving where clauses after equals for type aliases](rust-lang#92118)
* On 2022-01-15, [Ignore static lifetimes for GATs outlives lint](rust-lang#92865)
* On 2022-02-08, [Don't constrain projection predicates with inference vars in GAT substs](rust-lang#92917)
* On 2022-02-15, [Rework GAT where clause check](rust-lang#93820)
* On 2022-02-19, [Only mark projection as ambiguous if GAT substs are constrained](rust-lang#93892)
* On 2022-03-03, [Support GATs in Rustdoc](rust-lang#94009)
* On 2022-03-06, [Change location of where clause on GATs](rust-lang#90076)
* On 2022-05-04, [A shiny future with GATs blog post](https://jackh726.github.io/rust/2022/05/04/a-shiny-future-with-gats.html)
* On 2022-05-04, [Stabilization PR](rust-lang#96709)
calebcartwright pushed a commit to calebcartwright/rustfmt that referenced this pull request Jan 24, 2023
Stabilize generic associated types

Closes #44265

r? `@nikomatsakis`

# ⚡ Status of the discussion ⚡

* [x] There have been several serious concerns raised, [summarized here](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)).
* [x] There has also been a [deep-dive comment](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) explaining some of the "patterns of code" that are enabled by GATs, based on use-cases posted to this thread or on the tracking issue.
* [x] We have modeled some aspects of GATs in [a-mir-formality](https://github.com/nikomatsakis/a-mir-formality) to give better confidence in how they will be resolved in the future. [You can read a write-up here](https://github.com/rust-lang/types-team/blob/master/minutes/2022-07-08-implied-bounds-and-wf-checking.md).
* [x] The major points of the discussion have been [summarized on the GAT initiative repository](https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/mvp.html).
* [x] [FCP has been proposed](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) and we are awaiting final decisions and discussion amidst the relevant team members.

# Stabilization proposal

This PR proposes the stabilization of `#![feature(generic_associated_types)]`. While there a number of future additions to be made and bugs to be fixed (both discussed below), properly doing these will require significant language design and will ultimately likely be backwards-compatible. Given the overwhelming desire to have some form of generic associated types (GATs) available on stable and the stability of the "simple" uses, stabilizing the current subset of GAT features is almost certainly the correct next step.

Tracking issue: #44265
Initiative: https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/
RFC: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/1598-generic_associated_types.md
Version: 1.65 (2022-08-22 => beta, 2022-11-03 => stable).

## Motivation

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. Stabilization unblocks probable future language features (e.g. async functions in traits), potential future standard library features (e.g. a `LendingIterator` or some form of `Iterator` with a lifetime generic), and a plethora of user use cases (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it).

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. First, there are many users that have chosen to not use GATs primarily because they are not stable (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it). Second, while language feature desugaring isn't *blocked* on stabilization, it gives more confidence on using the feature. Likewise, library features like `LendingIterator` are not necessarily blocked on stabilization to be implemented unstably; however few, if any, public-facing APIs actually use unstable features.

This feature has a long history of design, discussion, and developement - the RFC was first introduced roughly 6 years ago. While there are still a number of features left to implement and bugs left to fix, it's clear that it's unlikely those will have backwards-incompatibility concerns. Additionally, the bugs that do exist do not strongly impede the most-common use cases.

## What is stabilized

The primary language feature stabilized here is the ability to have generics on associated types, as so. Additionally, where clauses on associated types will now be accepted, regardless if the associated type is generic or not.

```rust
trait ATraitWithGATs {
    type Assoc<'a, T> where T: 'a;
}

trait ATraitWithoutGATs<'a, T> {
    type Assoc where T: 'a;
}
```

When adding an impl for a trait with generic associated types, the generics for the associated type are copied as well. Note that where clauses are allowed both after the specified type and before the equals sign; however, the latter is a warn-by-default deprecation.

```rust
struct X;
struct Y;

impl ATraitWithGATs for X {
    type Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T
      where T: 'a;
}
impl ATraitWithGATs for Y {
    type Assoc<'a, T>
      where T: 'a
    = &'a T;
}
```

To use a GAT in a function, generics are specified on the associated type, as if it was a struct or enum. GATs can also be specified in trait bounds:

```rust
fn accepts_gat<'a, T>(t: &'a T) -> T::Assoc<'a, T>
  where for<'x> T: ATraitWithGATs<Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T> {
    ...
}
```

GATs can also appear in trait methods. However, depending on how they are used, they may confer where clauses on the associated type definition. More information can be found [here](rust-lang/rust#87479). Briefly, where clauses are required when those bounds can be proven in the methods that *construct* the GAT or other associated types that use the GAT in the trait. This allows impls to have maximum flexibility in the types defined for the associated type.

To take a relatively simple example:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Item<'a>;
    type Iterator<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;

    fn iter<'x>(&'x self) -> Self::Iterator<'x>;
    //^ We know that `Self: 'a` for `Iterator<'a>`, so we require that bound on `Iterator`
    //  `Iterator` uses `Self::Item`, so we also require a `Self: 'a` on `Item` too
}
```

A couple well-explained examples are available in a previous [blog post](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html).

## What isn't stabilized/implemented

### Universal type/const quantification

Currently, you can write a bound like `X: for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>`. However, you cannot currently write `for<T> X: Trait<Assoc<T> = T>` or `for<const N> X: Trait<Assoc<N> = [usize; N]>`.

Here is an example where this is needed:

```rust
trait Foo {}

trait Trait {
    type Assoc<F: Foo>;
}

trait Trait2: Sized {
    fn foo<F: Foo, T: Trait<Assoc<F> = F>>(_t: T);
}
```

In the above example, the *caller* must specify `F`, which is likely not what is desired.

### Object-safe GATs

Unlike non-generic associated types, traits with GATs are not currently object-safe. In other words the following are not allowed:

```rust
trait Trait {
    type Assoc<'a>;
}

fn foo(t: &dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>) {}
         //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed

let ty: Box<dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>>;
          //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed
```

### Higher-kinded types

You cannot write currently (and there are no current plans to implement this):

```rust
struct Struct<'a> {}

fn foo(s: for<'a> Struct<'a>) {}
```

## Tests

There are many tests covering GATs that can be found in  `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types`. Here, I'll list (in alphanumeric order) tests highlight some important behavior or contain important patterns.

- `./parse/*`: Parsing of GATs in traits and impls, and the trait path with GATs
- `./collections-project-default.rs`: Interaction with associated type defaults
- `./collections.rs`: The `Collection` pattern
- `./const-generics-gat-in-trait-return-type-*.rs`: Const parameters
- `./constraint-assoc-type-suggestion.rs`: Emit correct syntax in suggestion
- `./cross-crate-bounds.rs`: Ensure we handles bounds across crates the same
- `./elided-in-expr-position.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in return position
- `./gat-in-trait-path-undeclared-lifetime.rs`: Ensure we error on undeclared lifetime in trait path
- `./gat-in-trait-path.rs`: Base trait path case
- `./gat-trait-path-generic-type-arg.rs`: Don't allow shadowing of parameters
- `./gat-trait-path-parenthesised-args.rs`: Don't allow paranthesized args in trait path
- `./generic-associated-types-where.rs`: Ensure that we require where clauses from trait to be met on impl
- `./impl_bounds.rs`: Check that the bounds on GATs in an impl are checked
- `./issue-76826.rs`: `Windows` pattern
- `./issue-78113-lifetime-mismatch-dyn-trait-box.rs`: Implicit 'static diagnostics
- `./issue-84931.rs`: Ensure that we have a where clause on GAT to ensure trait parameter lives long enough
- `./issue-87258_a.rs`: Unconstrained opaque type with TAITs
- `./issue-87429-2.rs`: Ensure we can use bound vars in the bounds
- `./issue-87429-associated-type-default.rs`: Ensure bounds hold with associated type defaults, for both trait and impl
- `./issue-87429-specialization.rs`: Check that bounds hold under specialization
- `./issue-88595.rs`: Under the outlives lint, we require a bound for both trait and GAT lifetime when trait lifetime is used in function
- `./issue-90014.rs`: Lifetime bounds are checked with TAITs
- `./issue-91139.rs`: Under migrate mode, but not NLL, we don't capture implied bounds from HRTB lifetimes used in a function and GATs
- `./issue-91762.rs`: We used to too eagerly pick param env candidates when normalizing with GATs. We now require explicit parameters specified.
- `./issue-95305.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in trait paths
- `./iterable.rs`: `Iterable` pattern
- `./method-unsatified-assoc-type-predicate.rs`: Print predicates with GATs correctly in method resolve error
- `./missing_lifetime_const.rs`: Ensure we must specify lifetime args (not elidable)
- `./missing-where-clause-on-trait.rs`: Ensure we don't allow stricter bounds on impl than trait
- `./parameter_number_and_kind_impl.rs`: Ensure paramters on GAT in impl match GAT in trait
- `./pointer_family.rs`: `PointerFamily` pattern
- `./projection-bound-cycle.rs`: Don't allow invalid cycles to prove bounds
- `./self-outlives-lint.rs`: Ensures that an e.g. `Self: 'a` is written on the traits GAT if that bound can be implied from the GAT usage in the trait
- `./shadowing.rs`: Don't allow lifetime shadowing in params
- `./streaming_iterator.rs`: `StreamingIterator`(`LendingIterator`) pattern
- `./trait-objects.rs`: Disallow trait objects for traits with GATs
- `./variance_constraints.rs`: Require that GAT substs be invariant

## Remaining bugs and open issues

A full list of remaining open issues can be found at: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/labels/F-generic_associated_types

There are some `known-bug` tests in-tree at `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/bugs`.

Here I'll categorize most of those that GAT bugs (or involve a pattern found more with GATs), but not those that include GATs but not a GAT issue in and of itself. (I also won't include issues directly for things listed elsewhere here.)

Using the concrete type of a GAT instead of the projection type can give errors, since lifetimes are chosen to be early-bound vs late-bound.
- #85533
- #87803

In certain cases, we can run into cycle or overflow errors. This is more generally a problem with associated types.
- #87755
- #87758

Bounds on an associatd type need to be proven by an impl, but where clauses need to be proven by the usage. This can lead to confusion when users write one when they mean the other.
- #87831
- #90573

We sometimes can't normalize closure signatures fully. Really an asociated types issue, but might happen a bit more frequently with GATs, since more obvious place for HRTB lifetimes.
- #88382

When calling a function, we assign types to parameters "too late", after we already try (and fail) to normalize projections. Another associated types issue that might pop up more with GATs.
- #88460
- #96230

We don't fully have implied bounds for lifetimes appearing in GAT trait paths, which can lead to unconstrained type errors.
- #88526

Suggestion for adding lifetime bounds can suggest unhelpful fixes (`T: 'a` instead of `Self: 'a`), but the next compiler error after making the suggested change is helpful.
- #90816
- #92096
- #95268

We can end up requiring that `for<'a> I: 'a` when we really want `for<'a where I: 'a> I: 'a`. This can leave unhelpful errors than effectively can't be satisfied unless `I: 'static`. Requires bigger changes and not only GATs.
- #91693

Unlike with non-generic associated types, we don't eagerly normalize with param env candidates. This is intended behavior (for now), to avoid accidentaly stabilizing picking arbitrary impls.
- #91762

Some Iterator adapter patterns (namely `filter`) require Polonius or unsafe to work.
- #92985

## Potential Future work

### Universal type/const quantification

No work has been done to implement this. There are also some questions around implied bounds.

###  Object-safe GATs

The intention is to make traits with GATs object-safe. There are some design work to be done around well-formedness rules and general implementation.

### GATified std lib types

It would be helpful to either introduce new std lib traits (like `LendingIterator`) or to modify existing ones (adding a `'a` generic to `Iterator::Item`). There also a number of other candidates, like `Index`/`IndexMut` and `Fn`/`FnMut`/`FnOnce`.

### Reduce the need for `for<'a>`

Seen [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)). One possible syntax:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Iter<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;
}

fn foo<T>() where T: Iterable, T::Item<let 'a>: Display { } //note the `let`!
```

### Better implied bounds on higher-ranked things

Currently if we have a `type Item<'a> where self: 'a`, and a `for<'a> T: Iterator<Item<'a> = &'a ()`, this requires `for<'a> Self: 'a`. Really, we want `for<'a where T: 'a> ...`

There was some mentions of this all the back in the RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

## Alternatives

### Make generics on associated type in bounds a binder

Imagine the bound `for<'a> T: Trait<Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. It might be that `for<'a>` is "too large" and it should instead be `T: Trait<for<'a> Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. Brought up in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)) and in a few places since.

Another related question: Is `for<'a>` the right syntax? Maybe `where<'a>`? Also originally found in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

### Stabilize lifetime GATs first

This has been brought up a few times. The idea is to only allow GATs with lifetime parameters to in initial stabilization. This was probably most useful prior to actual implementation. At this point, lifetimes, types, and consts are all implemented and work. It feels like an arbitrary split without strong reason.

## History

* On 2016-04-30, [RFC opened](rust-lang/rfcs#1598)
* On 2017-09-02, RFC merged and [tracking issue opened](rust-lang/rust#44265)
* On 2017-10-23, [Move Generics from MethodSig to TraitItem and ImplItem](rust-lang/rust#44766)
* On 2017-12-01, [Generic Associated Types Parsing & Name Resolution](rust-lang/rust#45904)
* On 2017-12-15, [https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706](https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706)
* On 2018-04-23, [Feature gate where clauses on associated types](rust-lang/rust#49368)
* On 2018-05-10, [Extend tests for RFC1598 (GAT)](rust-lang/rust#49423)
* On 2018-05-24, [Finish implementing GATs (Chalk)](rust-lang/chalk#134)
* On 2019-12-21, [Make GATs less ICE-prone](rust-lang/rust#67160)
* On 2020-02-13, [fix lifetime shadowing check in GATs](rust-lang/rust#68938)
* On 2020-06-20, [Projection bound validation](rust-lang/rust#72788)
* On 2020-10-06, [Separate projection bounds and predicates](rust-lang/rust#73905)
* On 2021-02-05, [Generic associated types in trait paths](rust-lang/rust#79554)
* On 2021-02-06, [Trait objects do not work with generic associated types](rust-lang/rust#81823)
* On 2021-04-28, [Make traits with GATs not object safe](rust-lang/rust#84622)
* On 2021-05-11, [Improve diagnostics for GATs](rust-lang/rust#82272)
* On 2021-07-16, [Make GATs no longer an incomplete feature](rust-lang/rust#84623)
* On 2021-07-16, [Replace associated item bound vars with placeholders when projecting](rust-lang/rust#86993)
* On 2021-07-26, [GATs: Decide whether to have defaults for `where Self: 'a`](rust-lang/rust#87479)
* On 2021-08-25, [Normalize projections under binders](rust-lang/rust#85499)
* On 2021-08-03, [The push for GATs stabilization](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html)
* On 2021-08-12, [Detect stricter constraints on gats where clauses in impls vs trait](rust-lang/rust#88336)
* On 2021-09-20, [Proposal: Change syntax of where clauses on type aliases](rust-lang/rust#89122)
* On 2021-11-06, [Implementation of GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#89970)
* On 2021-12-29. [Parse and suggest moving where clauses after equals for type aliases](rust-lang/rust#92118)
* On 2022-01-15, [Ignore static lifetimes for GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#92865)
* On 2022-02-08, [Don't constrain projection predicates with inference vars in GAT substs](rust-lang/rust#92917)
* On 2022-02-15, [Rework GAT where clause check](rust-lang/rust#93820)
* On 2022-02-19, [Only mark projection as ambiguous if GAT substs are constrained](rust-lang/rust#93892)
* On 2022-03-03, [Support GATs in Rustdoc](rust-lang/rust#94009)
* On 2022-03-06, [Change location of where clause on GATs](rust-lang/rust#90076)
* On 2022-05-04, [A shiny future with GATs blog post](https://jackh726.github.io/rust/2022/05/04/a-shiny-future-with-gats.html)
* On 2022-05-04, [Stabilization PR](rust-lang/rust#96709)
matthiaskrgr added a commit to matthiaskrgr/rust that referenced this pull request Aug 8, 2023
…iler-errors

tests: Uncomment now valid GAT code behind FIXME

The code fails to parse with `nightly-2021-02-05`:

    $ cargo +nightly-2021-02-05 build
    error: generic associated types in trait paths are currently not implemented
     --> src/main.rs:9:42
      |
    9 | fn _bar<T: for<'a> StreamingIterator<Item<'a> = &'a [i32]>>(_iter: T) { /* ... */
      |                                          ^^^^

but parses with `nightly-2021-02-06`:

    $ cargo +nightly-2021-02-06 build
    warning: the feature `generic_associated_types` is incomplete and may not be safe to use and/or cause compiler crashes
    warning: 1 warning emitted

because it was (with high probability) fixed by rust-lang#79554 which was merged within that nightly range.

This PR is part of rust-lang#44366 which is E-help-wanted.
RalfJung pushed a commit to RalfJung/rust-analyzer that referenced this pull request Apr 20, 2024
Stabilize generic associated types

Closes #44265

r? `@nikomatsakis`

# ⚡ Status of the discussion ⚡

* [x] There have been several serious concerns raised, [summarized here](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)).
* [x] There has also been a [deep-dive comment](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) explaining some of the "patterns of code" that are enabled by GATs, based on use-cases posted to this thread or on the tracking issue.
* [x] We have modeled some aspects of GATs in [a-mir-formality](https://github.com/nikomatsakis/a-mir-formality) to give better confidence in how they will be resolved in the future. [You can read a write-up here](https://github.com/rust-lang/types-team/blob/master/minutes/2022-07-08-implied-bounds-and-wf-checking.md).
* [x] The major points of the discussion have been [summarized on the GAT initiative repository](https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/mvp.html).
* [x] [FCP has been proposed](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) and we are awaiting final decisions and discussion amidst the relevant team members.

# Stabilization proposal

This PR proposes the stabilization of `#![feature(generic_associated_types)]`. While there a number of future additions to be made and bugs to be fixed (both discussed below), properly doing these will require significant language design and will ultimately likely be backwards-compatible. Given the overwhelming desire to have some form of generic associated types (GATs) available on stable and the stability of the "simple" uses, stabilizing the current subset of GAT features is almost certainly the correct next step.

Tracking issue: #44265
Initiative: https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/
RFC: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/1598-generic_associated_types.md
Version: 1.65 (2022-08-22 => beta, 2022-11-03 => stable).

## Motivation

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. Stabilization unblocks probable future language features (e.g. async functions in traits), potential future standard library features (e.g. a `LendingIterator` or some form of `Iterator` with a lifetime generic), and a plethora of user use cases (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it).

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. First, there are many users that have chosen to not use GATs primarily because they are not stable (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it). Second, while language feature desugaring isn't *blocked* on stabilization, it gives more confidence on using the feature. Likewise, library features like `LendingIterator` are not necessarily blocked on stabilization to be implemented unstably; however few, if any, public-facing APIs actually use unstable features.

This feature has a long history of design, discussion, and developement - the RFC was first introduced roughly 6 years ago. While there are still a number of features left to implement and bugs left to fix, it's clear that it's unlikely those will have backwards-incompatibility concerns. Additionally, the bugs that do exist do not strongly impede the most-common use cases.

## What is stabilized

The primary language feature stabilized here is the ability to have generics on associated types, as so. Additionally, where clauses on associated types will now be accepted, regardless if the associated type is generic or not.

```rust
trait ATraitWithGATs {
    type Assoc<'a, T> where T: 'a;
}

trait ATraitWithoutGATs<'a, T> {
    type Assoc where T: 'a;
}
```

When adding an impl for a trait with generic associated types, the generics for the associated type are copied as well. Note that where clauses are allowed both after the specified type and before the equals sign; however, the latter is a warn-by-default deprecation.

```rust
struct X;
struct Y;

impl ATraitWithGATs for X {
    type Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T
      where T: 'a;
}
impl ATraitWithGATs for Y {
    type Assoc<'a, T>
      where T: 'a
    = &'a T;
}
```

To use a GAT in a function, generics are specified on the associated type, as if it was a struct or enum. GATs can also be specified in trait bounds:

```rust
fn accepts_gat<'a, T>(t: &'a T) -> T::Assoc<'a, T>
  where for<'x> T: ATraitWithGATs<Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T> {
    ...
}
```

GATs can also appear in trait methods. However, depending on how they are used, they may confer where clauses on the associated type definition. More information can be found [here](rust-lang/rust#87479). Briefly, where clauses are required when those bounds can be proven in the methods that *construct* the GAT or other associated types that use the GAT in the trait. This allows impls to have maximum flexibility in the types defined for the associated type.

To take a relatively simple example:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Item<'a>;
    type Iterator<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;

    fn iter<'x>(&'x self) -> Self::Iterator<'x>;
    //^ We know that `Self: 'a` for `Iterator<'a>`, so we require that bound on `Iterator`
    //  `Iterator` uses `Self::Item`, so we also require a `Self: 'a` on `Item` too
}
```

A couple well-explained examples are available in a previous [blog post](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html).

## What isn't stabilized/implemented

### Universal type/const quantification

Currently, you can write a bound like `X: for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>`. However, you cannot currently write `for<T> X: Trait<Assoc<T> = T>` or `for<const N> X: Trait<Assoc<N> = [usize; N]>`.

Here is an example where this is needed:

```rust
trait Foo {}

trait Trait {
    type Assoc<F: Foo>;
}

trait Trait2: Sized {
    fn foo<F: Foo, T: Trait<Assoc<F> = F>>(_t: T);
}
```

In the above example, the *caller* must specify `F`, which is likely not what is desired.

### Object-safe GATs

Unlike non-generic associated types, traits with GATs are not currently object-safe. In other words the following are not allowed:

```rust
trait Trait {
    type Assoc<'a>;
}

fn foo(t: &dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>) {}
         //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed

let ty: Box<dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>>;
          //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed
```

### Higher-kinded types

You cannot write currently (and there are no current plans to implement this):

```rust
struct Struct<'a> {}

fn foo(s: for<'a> Struct<'a>) {}
```

## Tests

There are many tests covering GATs that can be found in  `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types`. Here, I'll list (in alphanumeric order) tests highlight some important behavior or contain important patterns.

- `./parse/*`: Parsing of GATs in traits and impls, and the trait path with GATs
- `./collections-project-default.rs`: Interaction with associated type defaults
- `./collections.rs`: The `Collection` pattern
- `./const-generics-gat-in-trait-return-type-*.rs`: Const parameters
- `./constraint-assoc-type-suggestion.rs`: Emit correct syntax in suggestion
- `./cross-crate-bounds.rs`: Ensure we handles bounds across crates the same
- `./elided-in-expr-position.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in return position
- `./gat-in-trait-path-undeclared-lifetime.rs`: Ensure we error on undeclared lifetime in trait path
- `./gat-in-trait-path.rs`: Base trait path case
- `./gat-trait-path-generic-type-arg.rs`: Don't allow shadowing of parameters
- `./gat-trait-path-parenthesised-args.rs`: Don't allow paranthesized args in trait path
- `./generic-associated-types-where.rs`: Ensure that we require where clauses from trait to be met on impl
- `./impl_bounds.rs`: Check that the bounds on GATs in an impl are checked
- `./issue-76826.rs`: `Windows` pattern
- `./issue-78113-lifetime-mismatch-dyn-trait-box.rs`: Implicit 'static diagnostics
- `./issue-84931.rs`: Ensure that we have a where clause on GAT to ensure trait parameter lives long enough
- `./issue-87258_a.rs`: Unconstrained opaque type with TAITs
- `./issue-87429-2.rs`: Ensure we can use bound vars in the bounds
- `./issue-87429-associated-type-default.rs`: Ensure bounds hold with associated type defaults, for both trait and impl
- `./issue-87429-specialization.rs`: Check that bounds hold under specialization
- `./issue-88595.rs`: Under the outlives lint, we require a bound for both trait and GAT lifetime when trait lifetime is used in function
- `./issue-90014.rs`: Lifetime bounds are checked with TAITs
- `./issue-91139.rs`: Under migrate mode, but not NLL, we don't capture implied bounds from HRTB lifetimes used in a function and GATs
- `./issue-91762.rs`: We used to too eagerly pick param env candidates when normalizing with GATs. We now require explicit parameters specified.
- `./issue-95305.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in trait paths
- `./iterable.rs`: `Iterable` pattern
- `./method-unsatified-assoc-type-predicate.rs`: Print predicates with GATs correctly in method resolve error
- `./missing_lifetime_const.rs`: Ensure we must specify lifetime args (not elidable)
- `./missing-where-clause-on-trait.rs`: Ensure we don't allow stricter bounds on impl than trait
- `./parameter_number_and_kind_impl.rs`: Ensure paramters on GAT in impl match GAT in trait
- `./pointer_family.rs`: `PointerFamily` pattern
- `./projection-bound-cycle.rs`: Don't allow invalid cycles to prove bounds
- `./self-outlives-lint.rs`: Ensures that an e.g. `Self: 'a` is written on the traits GAT if that bound can be implied from the GAT usage in the trait
- `./shadowing.rs`: Don't allow lifetime shadowing in params
- `./streaming_iterator.rs`: `StreamingIterator`(`LendingIterator`) pattern
- `./trait-objects.rs`: Disallow trait objects for traits with GATs
- `./variance_constraints.rs`: Require that GAT substs be invariant

## Remaining bugs and open issues

A full list of remaining open issues can be found at: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/labels/F-generic_associated_types

There are some `known-bug` tests in-tree at `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/bugs`.

Here I'll categorize most of those that GAT bugs (or involve a pattern found more with GATs), but not those that include GATs but not a GAT issue in and of itself. (I also won't include issues directly for things listed elsewhere here.)

Using the concrete type of a GAT instead of the projection type can give errors, since lifetimes are chosen to be early-bound vs late-bound.
- #85533
- #87803

In certain cases, we can run into cycle or overflow errors. This is more generally a problem with associated types.
- #87755
- #87758

Bounds on an associatd type need to be proven by an impl, but where clauses need to be proven by the usage. This can lead to confusion when users write one when they mean the other.
- #87831
- #90573

We sometimes can't normalize closure signatures fully. Really an asociated types issue, but might happen a bit more frequently with GATs, since more obvious place for HRTB lifetimes.
- #88382

When calling a function, we assign types to parameters "too late", after we already try (and fail) to normalize projections. Another associated types issue that might pop up more with GATs.
- #88460
- #96230

We don't fully have implied bounds for lifetimes appearing in GAT trait paths, which can lead to unconstrained type errors.
- #88526

Suggestion for adding lifetime bounds can suggest unhelpful fixes (`T: 'a` instead of `Self: 'a`), but the next compiler error after making the suggested change is helpful.
- #90816
- #92096
- #95268

We can end up requiring that `for<'a> I: 'a` when we really want `for<'a where I: 'a> I: 'a`. This can leave unhelpful errors than effectively can't be satisfied unless `I: 'static`. Requires bigger changes and not only GATs.
- #91693

Unlike with non-generic associated types, we don't eagerly normalize with param env candidates. This is intended behavior (for now), to avoid accidentaly stabilizing picking arbitrary impls.
- #91762

Some Iterator adapter patterns (namely `filter`) require Polonius or unsafe to work.
- #92985

## Potential Future work

### Universal type/const quantification

No work has been done to implement this. There are also some questions around implied bounds.

###  Object-safe GATs

The intention is to make traits with GATs object-safe. There are some design work to be done around well-formedness rules and general implementation.

### GATified std lib types

It would be helpful to either introduce new std lib traits (like `LendingIterator`) or to modify existing ones (adding a `'a` generic to `Iterator::Item`). There also a number of other candidates, like `Index`/`IndexMut` and `Fn`/`FnMut`/`FnOnce`.

### Reduce the need for `for<'a>`

Seen [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)). One possible syntax:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Iter<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;
}

fn foo<T>() where T: Iterable, T::Item<let 'a>: Display { } //note the `let`!
```

### Better implied bounds on higher-ranked things

Currently if we have a `type Item<'a> where self: 'a`, and a `for<'a> T: Iterator<Item<'a> = &'a ()`, this requires `for<'a> Self: 'a`. Really, we want `for<'a where T: 'a> ...`

There was some mentions of this all the back in the RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

## Alternatives

### Make generics on associated type in bounds a binder

Imagine the bound `for<'a> T: Trait<Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. It might be that `for<'a>` is "too large" and it should instead be `T: Trait<for<'a> Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. Brought up in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)) and in a few places since.

Another related question: Is `for<'a>` the right syntax? Maybe `where<'a>`? Also originally found in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

### Stabilize lifetime GATs first

This has been brought up a few times. The idea is to only allow GATs with lifetime parameters to in initial stabilization. This was probably most useful prior to actual implementation. At this point, lifetimes, types, and consts are all implemented and work. It feels like an arbitrary split without strong reason.

## History

* On 2016-04-30, [RFC opened](rust-lang/rfcs#1598)
* On 2017-09-02, RFC merged and [tracking issue opened](rust-lang/rust#44265)
* On 2017-10-23, [Move Generics from MethodSig to TraitItem and ImplItem](rust-lang/rust#44766)
* On 2017-12-01, [Generic Associated Types Parsing & Name Resolution](rust-lang/rust#45904)
* On 2017-12-15, [https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706](https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706)
* On 2018-04-23, [Feature gate where clauses on associated types](rust-lang/rust#49368)
* On 2018-05-10, [Extend tests for RFC1598 (GAT)](rust-lang/rust#49423)
* On 2018-05-24, [Finish implementing GATs (Chalk)](rust-lang/chalk#134)
* On 2019-12-21, [Make GATs less ICE-prone](rust-lang/rust#67160)
* On 2020-02-13, [fix lifetime shadowing check in GATs](rust-lang/rust#68938)
* On 2020-06-20, [Projection bound validation](rust-lang/rust#72788)
* On 2020-10-06, [Separate projection bounds and predicates](rust-lang/rust#73905)
* On 2021-02-05, [Generic associated types in trait paths](rust-lang/rust#79554)
* On 2021-02-06, [Trait objects do not work with generic associated types](rust-lang/rust#81823)
* On 2021-04-28, [Make traits with GATs not object safe](rust-lang/rust#84622)
* On 2021-05-11, [Improve diagnostics for GATs](rust-lang/rust#82272)
* On 2021-07-16, [Make GATs no longer an incomplete feature](rust-lang/rust#84623)
* On 2021-07-16, [Replace associated item bound vars with placeholders when projecting](rust-lang/rust#86993)
* On 2021-07-26, [GATs: Decide whether to have defaults for `where Self: 'a`](rust-lang/rust#87479)
* On 2021-08-25, [Normalize projections under binders](rust-lang/rust#85499)
* On 2021-08-03, [The push for GATs stabilization](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html)
* On 2021-08-12, [Detect stricter constraints on gats where clauses in impls vs trait](rust-lang/rust#88336)
* On 2021-09-20, [Proposal: Change syntax of where clauses on type aliases](rust-lang/rust#89122)
* On 2021-11-06, [Implementation of GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#89970)
* On 2021-12-29. [Parse and suggest moving where clauses after equals for type aliases](rust-lang/rust#92118)
* On 2022-01-15, [Ignore static lifetimes for GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#92865)
* On 2022-02-08, [Don't constrain projection predicates with inference vars in GAT substs](rust-lang/rust#92917)
* On 2022-02-15, [Rework GAT where clause check](rust-lang/rust#93820)
* On 2022-02-19, [Only mark projection as ambiguous if GAT substs are constrained](rust-lang/rust#93892)
* On 2022-03-03, [Support GATs in Rustdoc](rust-lang/rust#94009)
* On 2022-03-06, [Change location of where clause on GATs](rust-lang/rust#90076)
* On 2022-05-04, [A shiny future with GATs blog post](https://jackh726.github.io/rust/2022/05/04/a-shiny-future-with-gats.html)
* On 2022-05-04, [Stabilization PR](rust-lang/rust#96709)
RalfJung pushed a commit to RalfJung/rust-analyzer that referenced this pull request Apr 27, 2024
Stabilize generic associated types

Closes #44265

r? `@nikomatsakis`

# ⚡ Status of the discussion ⚡

* [x] There have been several serious concerns raised, [summarized here](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)).
* [x] There has also been a [deep-dive comment](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) explaining some of the "patterns of code" that are enabled by GATs, based on use-cases posted to this thread or on the tracking issue.
* [x] We have modeled some aspects of GATs in [a-mir-formality](https://github.com/nikomatsakis/a-mir-formality) to give better confidence in how they will be resolved in the future. [You can read a write-up here](https://github.com/rust-lang/types-team/blob/master/minutes/2022-07-08-implied-bounds-and-wf-checking.md).
* [x] The major points of the discussion have been [summarized on the GAT initiative repository](https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/mvp.html).
* [x] [FCP has been proposed](rust-lang/rust#96709 (comment)) and we are awaiting final decisions and discussion amidst the relevant team members.

# Stabilization proposal

This PR proposes the stabilization of `#![feature(generic_associated_types)]`. While there a number of future additions to be made and bugs to be fixed (both discussed below), properly doing these will require significant language design and will ultimately likely be backwards-compatible. Given the overwhelming desire to have some form of generic associated types (GATs) available on stable and the stability of the "simple" uses, stabilizing the current subset of GAT features is almost certainly the correct next step.

Tracking issue: #44265
Initiative: https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/
RFC: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/1598-generic_associated_types.md
Version: 1.65 (2022-08-22 => beta, 2022-11-03 => stable).

## Motivation

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. Stabilization unblocks probable future language features (e.g. async functions in traits), potential future standard library features (e.g. a `LendingIterator` or some form of `Iterator` with a lifetime generic), and a plethora of user use cases (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it).

There are a myriad of potential use cases for GATs. First, there are many users that have chosen to not use GATs primarily because they are not stable (some of which can be seen just by scrolling through the tracking issue and looking at all the issues linking to it). Second, while language feature desugaring isn't *blocked* on stabilization, it gives more confidence on using the feature. Likewise, library features like `LendingIterator` are not necessarily blocked on stabilization to be implemented unstably; however few, if any, public-facing APIs actually use unstable features.

This feature has a long history of design, discussion, and developement - the RFC was first introduced roughly 6 years ago. While there are still a number of features left to implement and bugs left to fix, it's clear that it's unlikely those will have backwards-incompatibility concerns. Additionally, the bugs that do exist do not strongly impede the most-common use cases.

## What is stabilized

The primary language feature stabilized here is the ability to have generics on associated types, as so. Additionally, where clauses on associated types will now be accepted, regardless if the associated type is generic or not.

```rust
trait ATraitWithGATs {
    type Assoc<'a, T> where T: 'a;
}

trait ATraitWithoutGATs<'a, T> {
    type Assoc where T: 'a;
}
```

When adding an impl for a trait with generic associated types, the generics for the associated type are copied as well. Note that where clauses are allowed both after the specified type and before the equals sign; however, the latter is a warn-by-default deprecation.

```rust
struct X;
struct Y;

impl ATraitWithGATs for X {
    type Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T
      where T: 'a;
}
impl ATraitWithGATs for Y {
    type Assoc<'a, T>
      where T: 'a
    = &'a T;
}
```

To use a GAT in a function, generics are specified on the associated type, as if it was a struct or enum. GATs can also be specified in trait bounds:

```rust
fn accepts_gat<'a, T>(t: &'a T) -> T::Assoc<'a, T>
  where for<'x> T: ATraitWithGATs<Assoc<'a, T> = &'a T> {
    ...
}
```

GATs can also appear in trait methods. However, depending on how they are used, they may confer where clauses on the associated type definition. More information can be found [here](rust-lang/rust#87479). Briefly, where clauses are required when those bounds can be proven in the methods that *construct* the GAT or other associated types that use the GAT in the trait. This allows impls to have maximum flexibility in the types defined for the associated type.

To take a relatively simple example:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Item<'a>;
    type Iterator<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;

    fn iter<'x>(&'x self) -> Self::Iterator<'x>;
    //^ We know that `Self: 'a` for `Iterator<'a>`, so we require that bound on `Iterator`
    //  `Iterator` uses `Self::Item`, so we also require a `Self: 'a` on `Item` too
}
```

A couple well-explained examples are available in a previous [blog post](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html).

## What isn't stabilized/implemented

### Universal type/const quantification

Currently, you can write a bound like `X: for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>`. However, you cannot currently write `for<T> X: Trait<Assoc<T> = T>` or `for<const N> X: Trait<Assoc<N> = [usize; N]>`.

Here is an example where this is needed:

```rust
trait Foo {}

trait Trait {
    type Assoc<F: Foo>;
}

trait Trait2: Sized {
    fn foo<F: Foo, T: Trait<Assoc<F> = F>>(_t: T);
}
```

In the above example, the *caller* must specify `F`, which is likely not what is desired.

### Object-safe GATs

Unlike non-generic associated types, traits with GATs are not currently object-safe. In other words the following are not allowed:

```rust
trait Trait {
    type Assoc<'a>;
}

fn foo(t: &dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>) {}
         //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed

let ty: Box<dyn for<'a> Trait<Assoc<'a> = &'a ()>>;
          //^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ not allowed
```

### Higher-kinded types

You cannot write currently (and there are no current plans to implement this):

```rust
struct Struct<'a> {}

fn foo(s: for<'a> Struct<'a>) {}
```

## Tests

There are many tests covering GATs that can be found in  `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types`. Here, I'll list (in alphanumeric order) tests highlight some important behavior or contain important patterns.

- `./parse/*`: Parsing of GATs in traits and impls, and the trait path with GATs
- `./collections-project-default.rs`: Interaction with associated type defaults
- `./collections.rs`: The `Collection` pattern
- `./const-generics-gat-in-trait-return-type-*.rs`: Const parameters
- `./constraint-assoc-type-suggestion.rs`: Emit correct syntax in suggestion
- `./cross-crate-bounds.rs`: Ensure we handles bounds across crates the same
- `./elided-in-expr-position.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in return position
- `./gat-in-trait-path-undeclared-lifetime.rs`: Ensure we error on undeclared lifetime in trait path
- `./gat-in-trait-path.rs`: Base trait path case
- `./gat-trait-path-generic-type-arg.rs`: Don't allow shadowing of parameters
- `./gat-trait-path-parenthesised-args.rs`: Don't allow paranthesized args in trait path
- `./generic-associated-types-where.rs`: Ensure that we require where clauses from trait to be met on impl
- `./impl_bounds.rs`: Check that the bounds on GATs in an impl are checked
- `./issue-76826.rs`: `Windows` pattern
- `./issue-78113-lifetime-mismatch-dyn-trait-box.rs`: Implicit 'static diagnostics
- `./issue-84931.rs`: Ensure that we have a where clause on GAT to ensure trait parameter lives long enough
- `./issue-87258_a.rs`: Unconstrained opaque type with TAITs
- `./issue-87429-2.rs`: Ensure we can use bound vars in the bounds
- `./issue-87429-associated-type-default.rs`: Ensure bounds hold with associated type defaults, for both trait and impl
- `./issue-87429-specialization.rs`: Check that bounds hold under specialization
- `./issue-88595.rs`: Under the outlives lint, we require a bound for both trait and GAT lifetime when trait lifetime is used in function
- `./issue-90014.rs`: Lifetime bounds are checked with TAITs
- `./issue-91139.rs`: Under migrate mode, but not NLL, we don't capture implied bounds from HRTB lifetimes used in a function and GATs
- `./issue-91762.rs`: We used to too eagerly pick param env candidates when normalizing with GATs. We now require explicit parameters specified.
- `./issue-95305.rs`: Disallow lifetime elision in trait paths
- `./iterable.rs`: `Iterable` pattern
- `./method-unsatified-assoc-type-predicate.rs`: Print predicates with GATs correctly in method resolve error
- `./missing_lifetime_const.rs`: Ensure we must specify lifetime args (not elidable)
- `./missing-where-clause-on-trait.rs`: Ensure we don't allow stricter bounds on impl than trait
- `./parameter_number_and_kind_impl.rs`: Ensure paramters on GAT in impl match GAT in trait
- `./pointer_family.rs`: `PointerFamily` pattern
- `./projection-bound-cycle.rs`: Don't allow invalid cycles to prove bounds
- `./self-outlives-lint.rs`: Ensures that an e.g. `Self: 'a` is written on the traits GAT if that bound can be implied from the GAT usage in the trait
- `./shadowing.rs`: Don't allow lifetime shadowing in params
- `./streaming_iterator.rs`: `StreamingIterator`(`LendingIterator`) pattern
- `./trait-objects.rs`: Disallow trait objects for traits with GATs
- `./variance_constraints.rs`: Require that GAT substs be invariant

## Remaining bugs and open issues

A full list of remaining open issues can be found at: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/labels/F-generic_associated_types

There are some `known-bug` tests in-tree at `src/test/ui/generic-associated-types/bugs`.

Here I'll categorize most of those that GAT bugs (or involve a pattern found more with GATs), but not those that include GATs but not a GAT issue in and of itself. (I also won't include issues directly for things listed elsewhere here.)

Using the concrete type of a GAT instead of the projection type can give errors, since lifetimes are chosen to be early-bound vs late-bound.
- #85533
- #87803

In certain cases, we can run into cycle or overflow errors. This is more generally a problem with associated types.
- #87755
- #87758

Bounds on an associatd type need to be proven by an impl, but where clauses need to be proven by the usage. This can lead to confusion when users write one when they mean the other.
- #87831
- #90573

We sometimes can't normalize closure signatures fully. Really an asociated types issue, but might happen a bit more frequently with GATs, since more obvious place for HRTB lifetimes.
- #88382

When calling a function, we assign types to parameters "too late", after we already try (and fail) to normalize projections. Another associated types issue that might pop up more with GATs.
- #88460
- #96230

We don't fully have implied bounds for lifetimes appearing in GAT trait paths, which can lead to unconstrained type errors.
- #88526

Suggestion for adding lifetime bounds can suggest unhelpful fixes (`T: 'a` instead of `Self: 'a`), but the next compiler error after making the suggested change is helpful.
- #90816
- #92096
- #95268

We can end up requiring that `for<'a> I: 'a` when we really want `for<'a where I: 'a> I: 'a`. This can leave unhelpful errors than effectively can't be satisfied unless `I: 'static`. Requires bigger changes and not only GATs.
- #91693

Unlike with non-generic associated types, we don't eagerly normalize with param env candidates. This is intended behavior (for now), to avoid accidentaly stabilizing picking arbitrary impls.
- #91762

Some Iterator adapter patterns (namely `filter`) require Polonius or unsafe to work.
- #92985

## Potential Future work

### Universal type/const quantification

No work has been done to implement this. There are also some questions around implied bounds.

###  Object-safe GATs

The intention is to make traits with GATs object-safe. There are some design work to be done around well-formedness rules and general implementation.

### GATified std lib types

It would be helpful to either introduce new std lib traits (like `LendingIterator`) or to modify existing ones (adding a `'a` generic to `Iterator::Item`). There also a number of other candidates, like `Index`/`IndexMut` and `Fn`/`FnMut`/`FnOnce`.

### Reduce the need for `for<'a>`

Seen [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)). One possible syntax:

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Iter<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>>;
}

fn foo<T>() where T: Iterable, T::Item<let 'a>: Display { } //note the `let`!
```

### Better implied bounds on higher-ranked things

Currently if we have a `type Item<'a> where self: 'a`, and a `for<'a> T: Iterator<Item<'a> = &'a ()`, this requires `for<'a> Self: 'a`. Really, we want `for<'a where T: 'a> ...`

There was some mentions of this all the back in the RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

## Alternatives

### Make generics on associated type in bounds a binder

Imagine the bound `for<'a> T: Trait<Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. It might be that `for<'a>` is "too large" and it should instead be `T: Trait<for<'a> Item<'a>= &'a ()>`. Brought up in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)) and in a few places since.

Another related question: Is `for<'a>` the right syntax? Maybe `where<'a>`? Also originally found in RFC thread [here](rust-lang/rfcs#1598 (comment)).

### Stabilize lifetime GATs first

This has been brought up a few times. The idea is to only allow GATs with lifetime parameters to in initial stabilization. This was probably most useful prior to actual implementation. At this point, lifetimes, types, and consts are all implemented and work. It feels like an arbitrary split without strong reason.

## History

* On 2016-04-30, [RFC opened](rust-lang/rfcs#1598)
* On 2017-09-02, RFC merged and [tracking issue opened](rust-lang/rust#44265)
* On 2017-10-23, [Move Generics from MethodSig to TraitItem and ImplItem](rust-lang/rust#44766)
* On 2017-12-01, [Generic Associated Types Parsing & Name Resolution](rust-lang/rust#45904)
* On 2017-12-15, [https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706](https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/46706)
* On 2018-04-23, [Feature gate where clauses on associated types](rust-lang/rust#49368)
* On 2018-05-10, [Extend tests for RFC1598 (GAT)](rust-lang/rust#49423)
* On 2018-05-24, [Finish implementing GATs (Chalk)](rust-lang/chalk#134)
* On 2019-12-21, [Make GATs less ICE-prone](rust-lang/rust#67160)
* On 2020-02-13, [fix lifetime shadowing check in GATs](rust-lang/rust#68938)
* On 2020-06-20, [Projection bound validation](rust-lang/rust#72788)
* On 2020-10-06, [Separate projection bounds and predicates](rust-lang/rust#73905)
* On 2021-02-05, [Generic associated types in trait paths](rust-lang/rust#79554)
* On 2021-02-06, [Trait objects do not work with generic associated types](rust-lang/rust#81823)
* On 2021-04-28, [Make traits with GATs not object safe](rust-lang/rust#84622)
* On 2021-05-11, [Improve diagnostics for GATs](rust-lang/rust#82272)
* On 2021-07-16, [Make GATs no longer an incomplete feature](rust-lang/rust#84623)
* On 2021-07-16, [Replace associated item bound vars with placeholders when projecting](rust-lang/rust#86993)
* On 2021-07-26, [GATs: Decide whether to have defaults for `where Self: 'a`](rust-lang/rust#87479)
* On 2021-08-25, [Normalize projections under binders](rust-lang/rust#85499)
* On 2021-08-03, [The push for GATs stabilization](https://blog.rust-lang.org/2021/08/03/GATs-stabilization-push.html)
* On 2021-08-12, [Detect stricter constraints on gats where clauses in impls vs trait](rust-lang/rust#88336)
* On 2021-09-20, [Proposal: Change syntax of where clauses on type aliases](rust-lang/rust#89122)
* On 2021-11-06, [Implementation of GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#89970)
* On 2021-12-29. [Parse and suggest moving where clauses after equals for type aliases](rust-lang/rust#92118)
* On 2022-01-15, [Ignore static lifetimes for GATs outlives lint](rust-lang/rust#92865)
* On 2022-02-08, [Don't constrain projection predicates with inference vars in GAT substs](rust-lang/rust#92917)
* On 2022-02-15, [Rework GAT where clause check](rust-lang/rust#93820)
* On 2022-02-19, [Only mark projection as ambiguous if GAT substs are constrained](rust-lang/rust#93892)
* On 2022-03-03, [Support GATs in Rustdoc](rust-lang/rust#94009)
* On 2022-03-06, [Change location of where clause on GATs](rust-lang/rust#90076)
* On 2022-05-04, [A shiny future with GATs blog post](https://jackh726.github.io/rust/2022/05/04/a-shiny-future-with-gats.html)
* On 2022-05-04, [Stabilization PR](rust-lang/rust#96709)
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