m04-zero-cost
CRITICAL: Use for generics, traits, zero-cost abstraction. Triggers: E0277, E0308, E0599, generic, trait, impl, dyn, where, monomorphization, static dispatch, dynamic dispatch, impl Trait, trait bound not satisfied, 泛型, 特征, 零成本抽象, 单态化
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Zero Cost Abstraction
Layer 1: Language Mechanics
Core Question
Do we need compile time or runtime polymorphism?
Before choosing between generics and trait objects:
Is the type known at compile time?
Is a heterogeneous collection needed?
What's the performance priority?
Error → Design Question
Error Don't Just Say Ask Instead
E0277 "Add trait bound" Is this abstraction at the right level?
E0308 "Fix the type" Should types be unified or distinct?
E0599 "Import the trait" Is the trait the right abstraction?
E0038 "Make object safe" Do we really need dynamic dispatch?
Thinking Prompt
Before adding trait bounds:
1. What abstraction is needed?
Same behavior, different types → trait
Different behavior, same type → enum
No abstraction needed → concrete type
2. When is type known?
Compile time → generics (static dispatch)
Runtime → trait objects (dynamic dispatch)
3. What's the trade off priority?
Performance → generics
Compile time → trait objects
Flexibility → depends
Trace Up ↑
When type system fights back:
Persistent Error Trace To Question
Complex trait bounds m09 domain Is the abstraction right?
Object safety issues m05 type driven Can typestate help?
Type explosion m10 performance Accept dyn overhead?
Trace Down ↓
From design to implementation:
Quick Reference
Pattern Dispatch Code Size Runtime Cost
fn foo<T: Trait () Static +bloat Zero
fn foo(x: &dyn Trait) Dynamic Minimal vtable lookup
impl Trait return Static +bloat Zero
Box<dyn Trait Dynamic Minimal Allocation + vtable
Syntax Comparison
Error Code Reference
Error Cause Quick Fix
E0277 Type doesn't impl trait Add impl or change bound
E0308 Type mismatch Check generic params
E0599 No method found Import trait with use
E0038 Trait not object safe Use generics or redesign
Decision Guide
Scenario Choose Why
Performance critical Generics Zero runtime cost
Heterogeneous collection dyn Trait Different types at runtime
Plugin architecture dyn Trait Unknown types at compile
Reduce compile time dyn Trait Less monomorphization
Small, known type set enum No indirection
Object Safety
A trait is object safe if it:
Doesn't have Self: Sized bound
Doesn't return Self
Doesn't have generic methods
Uses where Self: Sized for non object safe methods
Anti Patterns
Anti Pattern Why Bad Better
Over generic everything Compile time, complexity Concrete types when possible
dyn for known types Unnecessary indirection Generics
Complex trait hierarchies Hard to understand Simpler design
Ignore object safety Limits flexibility Plan for dyn if needed
Related Skills
When See
Type driven design m05 type driven
Domain abstraction m09 domain
Performance concerns m10 performance
Send/Sync bounds m07 concurrency