python / python/mypy

Weird interaction between TypeVar and union

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bug
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Python
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Description

See this code.

from typing import TypeVar

T = TypeVar("T", list, dict)

def ctor(cls: type[T]) -> T:
    return cls()
    
def ctor_union(cls: type[list] | type[dict]) -> list | dict:
    return cls()
    
def ctor_union_proxy(cls: type[list] | type[dict]) -> list | dict:
    return ctor(cls)

produces

main.py:12: error: Value of type variable "T" of "ctor" cannot be "Collection[Any]"  [type-var]
main.py:12: error: Incompatible return value type (got "Collection[Any]", expected "list[Any] | dict[Any, Any]")  [return-value]
Found 2 errors in 1 file (checked 1 source file)

possibly duplicate of #9424.

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First steps

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Research direction

Run the linked mypy-play example with Python 3.12 and mypy master, then inspect the calls to ctor and ctor_union_proxy in main.py. Compare the diagnostics for the direct union constructor with the proxy call and confirm the intended behavior before tracing the relevant type-variable handling. Done means the reported interaction is resolved and covered by a regression test.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
42/100

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