python / python/mypy

False negative when lvalue has union type

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affects-mypyc bug topic-union-types
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Python
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Description

Mypy generates no error, even though the code is unsafe:

class C[T]:
    a: T

def f(x: C[int] | C[str]) -> None:
    x.a = 1  # No error

c = C[str]()
f(c)
print(c.a, type(c.a))  # 1, int

I'd expect x.a = 1 to generate an error, since the assignment is unsafe.

I suspect that the lvalue type is inferred as int | str, and mypy thinks it's fine. instead, assignment should be valid for each union item separately.

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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

Start by reproducing the provided generic-union example with mypy and inspect the type-checking path for assignments to union-typed lvalues. Done means the assignment is rejected when it is unsafe for any union member, while valid assignments continue to pass.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

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

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