python / python/mypy

Allow re-defined variables to span different scopes with `allow-redefinition`

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#12,968 3 comments 4 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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feature topic-usability
Dominant language
Python
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Forks
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PR merge metrics
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Description

foo: int
foo = str(foo) # no error

try:
    bar: int
    bar = str(bar) # error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "str", variable has type "int")  [assignment]
except Exception as e:
    reveal_type(bar) # should be `int | str`

playground

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the issue with the linked mypy-play example and the allow-redefinition option. Trace how redefinitions are handled across the try scope, then add or update coverage so the assignment is accepted and reveal_type(bar) reports int | str.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
compilers, devtools
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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