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To: caml-list@inria.fr
Subject: Re: OCAML parametric class coercion 
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Sun, 30 May 1999 22:24:35 +0200."
             <37519E82.7D14@cnam.fr> 
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 12:57:18 +0200
From: "Sylvain BOULM'E" <Sylvain.Boulme@lip6.fr>
Sender: weis

In OCAML objects system, polymorphic methods are forbidden (for the 
decidability of the type inference) : only classes may be polymorphic. So, you 
have to bind types of methods to types parameters of classes (it's a kind of 
skolemistation). For instance :

# class ['a] bidu1(dev) =
  object(self)
    method rate(untruc:'a) = untruc#essai
end;;
 

class ['a] bidu1 :
  'b -> object constraint 'a = < essai : 'c; .. > method rate : 'a -> 'c end

The system inferred the most general type, preventing an execution of 
"segmentation fault". Here, it adds a constraint ... But, you may also 
constraint by yourself this parameter (for a better readibility of code and 
inferred types, or semantic reasons about your classes) :

# class ['a] bidu2(dev) =
 object(self)
    constraint 'a = 'c #truc
    method rate(untruc:'a) = untruc#essai
 end;;

class ['a] bidu2 :
  'b -> object constraint 'a = 'c #truc method rate : 'a -> int end
 

# class ['a] bidu3(dev:'b) =
  object(self)
    constraint 'a = 'b #truc
    method rate(untruc:'a) = untruc#essai
  end;;

class ['a] bidu3 :
  'b -> object constraint 'a = 'b #truc method rate : 'a -> int end



Yours,

Sylvain.