fsharp / fsharp/fslang-suggestions
Mutable contents in Anonymous Records
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Description
I propose we allow for mutable contents in F# anonymous records. Today, it is not possible either as a declaration expression or when creating a new anonymous record:

(Note that the syntax in the screenshot is not necessarily what the syntax should be, it's just what felt the most natural to me)
Syntax could look like this:
```fsharp
// Declaration
let f (r: {| mutable Doot: string |}) = ()
// Instantiation
let _ = {| mutable Yoder: flat |}
```
This would be analogous to mutable contents in regular F# records.
The [spec](https://github.com/fsharp/fslang-design/blob/master/FSharp-4.6/FS-1030-anonymous-records.md) does not mention `mutable` labels, hence this suggestion.
You can have a type be a `ref` cell today, so you can still mutate:

However this does incur the additional allocation and readability costs of references cells.
## Pros and Cons
The advantages of making this adjustment to F# are:
* More parity with record types
* No more need to use `ref` cells if this is the pattern you're using
The disadvantages of making this adjustment to F# are:
* More avenues to mutation
* Is there a good instantiation syntax?
## Extra information
Estimated cost (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL): S-M
## Affidavit (please submit!)
Please tick this by placing a cross in the box:
* [x] This is not a question (e.g. like one you might ask on [stackoverflow](http://stackoverflow.com)) and I have searched stackoverflow for discussions of this issue
* [x] I have [searched both open and closed suggestions on this site](http://github.com/fsharp/fslang-suggestions/issues) and believe this is not a duplicate
* [x] This is not something which has obviously "already been decided" in previous versions of F#. If you're questioning a fundamental design decision that has obviously already been taken (e.g. "Make F# untyped") then please don't submit it.
Please tick all that apply:
* [x] This is not a breaking change to the F# language design
* [x] I or my company would be willing to help implement and/or test this
Contributor guide
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Research direction
Start by reading the linked FSharp-4.6 anonymous-records specification and compare its treatment with mutable regular F# records. Evaluate syntax for mutable labels in declarations and instantiations, including the stated ref-cell alternative and pros and cons; done means the language-design position and any required specification changes are settled.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- fsharp
- Domain
- compilers
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100