LuaLS / LuaLS/lua-language-server
Ability to mark default constructor names for resolving return type
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Description
Hi!
A request to infer return value for default returns when calling a defined constructor function. EmmyLua supports this using a setting:
Here it can infer that calling e.g. :new() on items marked with the ---@class annotation will be returning an instance of that class.
This is especially useful when constructing classes using metatables in a generic class system, adding interfaces or inheritance functionality but still be able to denote the return type of calling the constructor method.
Example:
#class.lua
local definitions = {}
local Class = {}
function Class.class(name)
local definitions = {}
local def = definitions[name]
if not def then
def = {}
def.__class_name = class_name
def.new = function(self, ...)
local instance = {}
if instance.construct then
instance:construct(...)
end
return instance
end
setmetatable(instance, def)
def[class_name] = def
end
return class_definition
end
Example of using the class creation method
#my_class.lua
local Class = require "path/class"
local MyClass = Class("MyClass")
function MyClass:construct()
self._member = 0
end
Example of instantiating an instance of the class and showing the issue:
#example.lua
local MyClass = require "path/my_class"
local instance = MyClass:new() -- this line cannot find the function new() or deduce the return/type of "instance"
Here the instance of class return value from the new() function cannot be inferred and I haven't found a way to annotate this using luadocs with generics, alias, overload or other methods. This issue is somewhat related to #449 but I feel this warrants a retake on the proposed solution unless I am missing something?
A different way could be to allow explicit descriptors of the @field annotation to specify return value types in class definitions e.g.
The return values of functions defined in fields from a set metatable cannot have it's return type defined however it seems.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the class.lua and example.lua scenarios in the issue, focusing on how the ---@class annotation and new() call are resolved. Review the related discussion in issue #449 and the described @field alternative before choosing an approach. Done should include inferred constructor availability and the correct instance return type for the example.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- lua
- Domain
- devtools
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100