\def\Haskell{\textsc{Haskell}\xspace} \def\eol{\setlength\parskip{0pt}\par} \def\indent#1{\noindent\kern#1} \def\cst#1{\textsf{#1}} \newcommand\tele[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \achapter{\protect{Type Classes}} \aauthor{Matthieu Sozeau} \label{typeclasses} \begin{flushleft} \em The status of Type Classes is (extremely) experimental. \end{flushleft} This chapter presents a quick reference of the commands related to type classes. For an actual introduction to type classes, there is a description of the system \cite{sozeau08} and the literature on type classes in \Haskell which also applies. \asection{Class and Instance declarations} \label{ClassesInstances} The syntax for class and instance declarations is the same as record syntax of \Coq: \def\kw{\texttt} \def\classid{\texttt} \begin{center} \[\begin{array}{l} \kw{Class}~\classid{Id}~(\alpha_1 : \tau_1) \cdots (\alpha_n : \tau_n) [: \sort] := \{\\ \begin{array}{p{0em}lcl} & \cst{f}_1 & : & \type_1 ; \\ & \vdots & & \\ & \cst{f}_m & : & \type_m \}. \end{array}\end{array}\] \end{center} \begin{center} \[\begin{array}{l} \kw{Instance}~\ident~:~\classid{Id}~\term_1 \cdots \term_n := \{\\ \begin{array}{p{0em}lcl} & \cst{f}_1 & := & \term_{f_1} ; \\ & \vdots & & \\ & \cst{f}_m & := & \term_{f_m} \}. \end{array}\end{array}\] \end{center} \begin{coq_eval} Reset Initial. Generalizable All Variables. \end{coq_eval} The $\tele{\alpha_i : \tau_i}$ variables are called the \emph{parameters} of the class and the $\tele{f_k : \type_k}$ are called the \emph{methods}. Each class definition gives rise to a corresponding record declaration and each instance is a regular definition whose name is given by $\ident$ and type is an instantiation of the record type. We'll use the following example class in the rest of the chapter: \begin{coq_example*} Class EqDec (A : Type) := { eqb : A -> A -> bool ; eqb_leibniz : forall x y, eqb x y = true -> x = y }. \end{coq_example*} This class implements a boolean equality test which is compatible with Leibniz equality on some type. An example implementation is: \begin{coq_example*} Instance unit_EqDec : EqDec unit := { eqb x y := true ; eqb_leibniz x y H := match x, y return x = y with tt, tt => refl_equal tt end }. \end{coq_example*} If one does not give all the members in the \texttt{Instance} declaration, Coq enters the proof-mode and the user is asked to build inhabitants of the remaining fields, e.g.: \begin{coq_example*} Instance eq_bool : EqDec bool := { eqb x y := if x then y else negb y }. \end{coq_example*} \begin{coq_example} Proof. intros x y H. destruct x ; destruct y ; (discriminate || reflexivity). Defined. \end{coq_example} One has to take care that the transparency of every field is determined by the transparency of the \texttt{Instance} proof. One can use alternatively the \texttt{Program} \texttt{Instance} \comindex{Program Instance} variant which has richer facilities for dealing with obligations. \asection{Binding classes} Once a type class is declared, one can use it in class binders: \begin{coq_example} Definition neqb {A} {eqa : EqDec A} (x y : A) := negb (eqb x y). \end{coq_example} When one calls a class method, a constraint is generated that is satisfied only in contexts where the appropriate instances can be found. In the example above, a constraint \texttt{EqDec A} is generated and satisfied by \texttt{{eqa : EqDec A}}. In case no satisfying constraint can be found, an error is raised: \begin{coq_example} Definition neqb' (A : Type) (x y : A) := negb (eqb x y). \end{coq_example} The algorithm used to solve constraints is a variant of the eauto tactic that does proof search with a set of lemmas (the instances). It will use local hypotheses as well as declared lemmas in the \texttt{typeclass\_instances} database. Hence the example can also be written: \begin{coq_example} Definition neqb' A (eqa : EqDec A) (x y : A) := negb (eqb x y). \end{coq_example} However, the generalizing binders should be used instead as they have particular support for type classes: \begin{itemize} \item They automatically set the maximally implicit status for type class arguments, making derived functions as easy to use as class methods. In the example above, \texttt{A} and \texttt{eqa} should be set maximally implicit. \item They support implicit quantification on partialy applied type classes (\S \ref{implicit-generalization}). Any argument not given as part of a type class binder will be automatically generalized. \item They also support implicit quantification on superclasses (\S \ref{classes:superclasses}) \end{itemize} Following the previous example, one can write: \begin{coq_example} Definition neqb_impl `{eqa : EqDec A} (x y : A) := negb (eqb x y). \end{coq_example} Here \texttt{A} is implicitly generalized, and the resulting function is equivalent to the one above. \asection{Parameterized Instances} One can declare parameterized instances as in \Haskell simply by giving the constraints as a binding context before the instance, e.g.: \begin{coq_example} Instance prod_eqb `(EA : EqDec A, EB : EqDec B) : EqDec (A * B) := { eqb x y := match x, y with | (la, ra), (lb, rb) => andb (eqb la lb) (eqb ra rb) end }. \end{coq_example} \begin{coq_eval} Admitted. \end{coq_eval} These instances are used just as well as lemmas in the instance hint database. \asection{Sections and contexts} \label{SectionContext} To ease the parametrization of developments by type classes, we provide a new way to introduce variables into section contexts, compatible with the implicit argument mechanism. The new command works similarly to the \texttt{Variables} vernacular (see \ref{Variable}), except it accepts any binding context as argument. For example: \begin{coq_example} Section EqDec_defs. Context `{EA : EqDec A}. \end{coq_example} \begin{coq_example*} Global Instance option_eqb : EqDec (option A) := { eqb x y := match x, y with | Some x, Some y => eqb x y | None, None => true | _, _ => false end }. \end{coq_example*} \begin{coq_eval} Proof. intros x y ; destruct x ; destruct y ; intros H ; try discriminate ; try apply eqb_leibniz in H ; subst ; auto. Defined. \end{coq_eval} \begin{coq_example} End EqDec_defs. About option_eqb. \end{coq_example} Here the \texttt{Global} modifier redeclares the instance at the end of the section, once it has been generalized by the context variables it uses. \asection{Building hierarchies} \subsection{Superclasses} \label{classes:superclasses} One can also parameterize classes by other classes, generating a hierarchy of classes and superclasses. In the same way, we give the superclasses as a binding context: \begin{coq_example*} Class Ord `(E : EqDec A) := { le : A -> A -> bool }. \end{coq_example*} Contrary to \Haskell, we have no special syntax for superclasses, but this declaration is morally equivalent to: \begin{verbatim} Class `(E : EqDec A) => Ord A := { le : A -> A -> bool }. \end{verbatim} This declaration means that any instance of the \texttt{Ord} class must have an instance of \texttt{EqDec}. The parameters of the subclass contain at least all the parameters of its superclasses in their order of appearance (here \texttt{A} is the only one). As we have seen, \texttt{Ord} is encoded as a record type with two parameters: a type \texttt{A} and an \texttt{E} of type \texttt{EqDec A}. However, one can still use it as if it had a single parameter inside generalizing binders: the generalization of superclasses will be done automatically. \begin{coq_example*} Definition le_eqb `{Ord A} (x y : A) := andb (le x y) (le y x). \end{coq_example*} In some cases, to be able to specify sharing of structures, one may want to give explicitly the superclasses. It is is possible to do it directly in regular binders, and using the \texttt{!} modifier in class binders. For example: \begin{coq_example*} Definition lt `{eqa : EqDec A, ! Ord eqa} (x y : A) := andb (le x y) (neqb x y). \end{coq_example*} The \texttt{!} modifier switches the way a binder is parsed back to the regular interpretation of Coq. In particular, it uses the implicit arguments mechanism if available, as shown in the example. \subsection{Substructures} Substructures are components of a class which are instances of a class themselves. They often arise when using classes for logical properties, e.g.: \begin{coq_eval} Require Import Relations. \end{coq_eval} \begin{coq_example*} Class Reflexive (A : Type) (R : relation A) := reflexivity : forall x, R x x. Class Transitive (A : Type) (R : relation A) := transitivity : forall x y z, R x y -> R y z -> R x z. \end{coq_example*} This declares singleton classes for reflexive and transitive relations, (see \ref{SingletonClass} for an explanation). These may be used as part of other classes: \begin{coq_example*} Class PreOrder (A : Type) (R : relation A) := { PreOrder_Reflexive :> Reflexive A R ; PreOrder_Transitive :> Transitive A R }. \end{coq_example*} The syntax \texttt{:>} indicates that each \texttt{PreOrder} can be seen as a \texttt{Reflexive} relation. So each time a reflexive relation is needed, a preorder can be used instead. This is very similar to the coercion mechanism of \texttt{Structure} declarations. The implementation simply declares each projection as an instance. One can also declare existing objects or structure projections using the \texttt{Existing Instance} command to achieve the same effect. \section{Summary of the commands \label{TypeClassCommands}} \subsection{\tt Class {\ident} {\binder$_1$ \ldots~\binder$_n$} : \sort := \{ field$_1$ ; \ldots ; field$_k$ \}.} \comindex{Class} \label{Class} The \texttt{Class} command is used to declare a type class with parameters {\binder$_1$} to {\binder$_n$} and fields {\tt field$_1$} to {\tt field$_k$}. \begin{Variants} \item \label{SingletonClass} {\tt Class {\ident} {\binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$} : \sort := \ident$_1$ : \type$_1$.} This variant declares a \emph{singleton} class whose only method is {\tt \ident$_1$}. This singleton class is a so-called definitional class, represented simply as a definition {\tt {\ident} \binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$ := \type$_1$} and whose instances are themselves objects of this type. Definitional classes are not wrapped inside records, and the trivial projection of an instance of such a class is convertible to the instance itself. This can be useful to make instances of existing objects easily and to reduce proof size by not inserting useless projections. The class constant itself is declared rigid during resolution so that the class abstraction is maintained. \item \label{ExistingClass} {\tt Existing Class {\ident}.\comindex{Existing Class}} This variant declares a class a posteriori from a constant or inductive definition. No methods or instances are defined. \end{Variants} \subsection{\tt Instance {\ident} {\binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$} : {Class} {t$_1$ \ldots t$_n$} [| \textit{priority}] := \{ field$_1$ := b$_1$ ; \ldots ; field$_i$ := b$_i$ \}} \comindex{Instance} \label{Instance} The \texttt{Instance} command is used to declare a type class instance named {\ident} of the class \emph{Class} with parameters {t$_1$} to {t$_n$} and fields {\tt b$_1$} to {\tt b$_i$}, where each field must be a declared field of the class. Missing fields must be filled in interactive proof mode. An arbitrary context of the form {\tt \binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$} can be put after the name of the instance and before the colon to declare a parameterized instance. An optional \textit{priority} can be declared, 0 being the highest priority as for auto hints. \begin{Variants} \item {\tt Instance {\ident} {\binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$} : forall {\binder$_{n+1}$ \ldots \binder$_m$}, {Class} {t$_1$ \ldots t$_n$} [| \textit{priority}] := \term} This syntax is used for declaration of singleton class instances or for directly giving an explicit term of type {\tt forall {\binder$_{n+1}$ \ldots \binder$_m$}, {Class} {t$_1$ \ldots t$_n$}}. One need not even mention the unique field name for singleton classes. \item {\tt Global Instance} One can use the \texttt{Global} modifier on instances declared in a section so that their generalization is automatically redeclared after the section is closed. \item {\tt Program Instance} \comindex{Program Instance} Switches the type-checking to \Program~(chapter \ref{Program}) and uses the obligation mechanism to manage missing fields. \item {\tt Declare Instance} \comindex{Declare Instance} In a {\tt Module Type}, this command states that a corresponding concrete instance should exist in any implementation of this {\tt Module Type}. This is similar to the distinction between {\tt Parameter} vs. {\tt Definition}, or between {\tt Declare Module} and {\tt Module}. \end{Variants} Besides the {\tt Class} and {\tt Instance} vernacular commands, there are a few other commands related to type classes. \subsection{\tt Existing Instance {\ident}} \comindex{Existing Instance} \label{ExistingInstance} This commands adds an arbitrary constant whose type ends with an applied type class to the instance database. It can be used for redeclaring instances at the end of sections, or declaring structure projections as instances. This is almost equivalent to {\tt Hint Resolve {\ident} : typeclass\_instances}. \subsection{\tt Context {\binder$_1$ \ldots \binder$_n$}} \comindex{Context} \label{Context} Declares variables according to the given binding context, which might use implicit generalization (see \ref{SectionContext}). \subsection{\tt Typeclasses Transparent, Opaque {\ident$_1$ \ldots \ident$_n$}} \comindex{Typeclasses Transparent} \comindex{Typeclasses Opaque} \label{TypeclassesTransparency} This commands defines the transparency of {\ident$_1$ \ldots \ident$_n$} during type class resolution. It is useful when some constants prevent some unifications and make resolution fail. It is also useful to declare constants which should never be unfolded during proof-search, like fixpoints or anything which does not look like an abbreviation. This can additionally speed up proof search as the typeclass map can be indexed by such rigid constants (see \ref{HintTransparency}). By default, all constants and local variables are considered transparent. One should take care not to make opaque any constant that is used to abbreviate a type, like {\tt relation A := A -> A -> Prop}. This is equivalent to {\tt Hint Transparent,Opaque} {\ident} {\tt: typeclass\_instances}. \subsection{\tt Typeclasses eauto := [debug] [dfs | bfs] [\emph{depth}]} \comindex{Typeclasses eauto} \label{TypeclassesEauto} This commands allows to customize the type class resolution tactic, based on a variant of eauto. The flags semantics are: \begin{itemize} \item {\tt debug} In debug mode, the trace of successfully applied tactics is printed. \item {\tt dfs, bfs} This sets the search strategy to depth-first search (the default) or breadth-first search. \item {\emph{depth}} This sets the depth of the search (the default is 100). \end{itemize} %%% Local Variables: %%% mode: latex %%% TeX-master: "Reference-Manual" %%% End: