[Records][Completion] Canonical Constructor Argument Names Missing From Completion Proposals

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Introduction

In the world of programming, records are a crucial part of any language, providing a concise way to define classes with a minimal amount of boilerplate code. However, with the recent changes in the master/HEAD branch of a popular programming language, a new issue has arisen. When attempting to complete a record constructor using the | character, the completion proposals no longer include the canonical argument names. This behavior change needs to be corrected to ensure that developers can continue to work efficiently with records.

The Problem

The issue arises when a developer attempts to complete a record constructor using the | character. For example, consider the following record definition:

public record X(int from, int to, double length, Object profile) {
    void foo() {
        new X| // completion at | is missing argument names.
    }
}

In this example, when the developer types new X|, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names, such as from, to, length, and profile. However, due to the recent behavior change, the completion proposals only include argument names like arg0, arg1, etc.

The Cause

The problem is only present when the constructor is fully synthesized. If a compact constructor or explicit constructor is present, the completion proposals behave as expected. This suggests that the issue is related to the way the language handles fully synthesized constructors.

The Impact

The missing canonical argument names in completion proposals can have a significant impact on developer productivity. When working with records, developers rely on the completion proposals to help them write code efficiently. Without the canonical argument names, developers may need to manually type out the argument names, which can lead to errors and slow down the development process.

The Solution

To correct this issue, the language needs to be updated to include the canonical argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors. This can be achieved by modifying the language's parser to handle fully synthesized constructors in the same way as compact constructors or explicit constructors.

Example Use Cases

To illustrate the impact of this issue, consider the following example use cases:

  • Record Definition: A developer defines a record with multiple arguments, such as public record X(int from, int to, double length, Object profile). When attempting to complete a new instance of the record using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.
  • Method Call: A developer calls a method on an instance of the record, such as x.foo(). When attempting to complete the method call using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.
  • Constructor Call: A developer calls the record's constructor using the new keyword, such as new X(). When attempting to complete the constructor call using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the missing canonical argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors is a significant issue that needs to be corrected. By updating the language to include the canonical argument names in completion, developers can continue to work efficiently with records. The solution to this issue is to modify the language's parser to handle fully synthesized constructors in the same way as compact constructors or explicit constructors.

Recommendations

To resolve this issue, we recommend the following:

  • Update the Language: Update the language to include the canonical argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors.
  • Modify the Parser: Modify the language's parser to handle fully synthesized constructors in the same way as compact constructors or explicit constructors.
  • Test the Fix: Thoroughly test the fix to ensure that it resolves the issue and does not introduce any new bugs.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of missing canonical constructor argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors in records. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address some of the common questions related to this issue.

Q: What is the issue with canonical constructor argument names in completion proposals?

A: The issue is that when attempting to complete a record constructor using the | character, the completion proposals no longer include the canonical argument names. Instead, they include argument names like arg0, arg1, etc.

Q: Why is this issue only present in fully synthesized constructors?

A: The issue is only present in fully synthesized constructors because the language's parser handles fully synthesized constructors differently than compact constructors or explicit constructors.

Q: How does this issue impact developer productivity?

A: This issue can significantly impact developer productivity because developers rely on completion proposals to help them write code efficiently. Without the canonical argument names, developers may need to manually type out the argument names, which can lead to errors and slow down the development process.

Q: What is the solution to this issue?

A: The solution is to update the language to include the canonical argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors. This can be achieved by modifying the language's parser to handle fully synthesized constructors in the same way as compact constructors or explicit constructors.

Q: How can I test the fix for this issue?

A: To test the fix, you can try the following:

  • Create a Record: Create a record with multiple arguments, such as public record X(int from, int to, double length, Object profile).
  • Attempt Completion: Attempt to complete a new instance of the record using the | character.
  • Verify Completion: Verify that the completion proposals include the canonical argument names.

Q: What are some example use cases for this issue?

A: Some example use cases for this issue include:

  • Record Definition: A developer defines a record with multiple arguments, such as public record X(int from, int to, double length, Object profile). When attempting to complete a new instance of the record using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.
  • Method Call: A developer calls a method on an instance of the record, such as x.foo(). When attempting to complete the method call using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.
  • Constructor Call: A developer calls the record's constructor using the new keyword, such as new X(). When attempting to complete the constructor call using the | character, the completion proposals should include the canonical argument names.

Q: How can I report this issue to the language developers?

A: To report this issue to the language developers, you can:

  • Search for Existing Issues: Search for existing issues related to this problem on the language's issue tracker.
  • Create a New Issue**: If you cannot find an existing issue, create a new issue and provide a clear and concise description of the problem.
  • Provide a Reproductive Example: Provide a reproductive example that demonstrates the issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the missing canonical constructor argument names in completion proposals for fully synthesized constructors is a significant issue that needs to be corrected. By updating the language to include the canonical argument names in completion, developers can continue to work efficiently with records. We hope that this Q&A article has provided valuable information to help developers understand and resolve this issue.