python / python/mypy

Request: Detect redundant overload with keyword-only params

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feature
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Feature
I'd like mypy to raise a "overload won't be matched" or "is redundant" or similar for the following two cases:

@overload
def foo(a: str, b: str, c: str): ...
@overload
def foo(a: str, *, b: str, c: str): ...  # I believe this is redundant
@overload
def foo(a: str, *, b: str, c: str): ...  # I believe this is redundant
@overload
def foo(a: str, b: str, c: str): ...

Pitch
Redundant or unreachable overloads are a code smell revealing either an error that slipped by or a misunderstanding of overloads. This is already raised with simpler signatures.
Example from a typeshed PR where a redundant overload was accidentally left in: https://github.com/python/typeshed/pull/10706#discussion_r1334910025

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First steps

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Run the two overload examples through mypy and trace the existing redundant or unreachable overload diagnostic path, noting how keyword-only parameters are handled. Done means both ordering variants receive an appropriate diagnostic when the later overload cannot be matched.

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
48/100

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