Wrong inference for `abs/__abs__` or function that calls a method on a generic type.
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Description
This was discussed in the typing forums.
Here mypy (latest version 1.17.1) infers the type of abs(value) incorrectly:
from typing import Self
class Real:
def __abs__(self) -> Self:
return self
def my_abs[T: Real](value: T):
reveal_type(abs(value)) # Real
reveal_type(value.__abs__()) # T
That is:
$ mypy z.py
z.py:8: note: Revealed type is "z.Real"
z.py:9: note: Revealed type is "T`-1"
Success: no issues found in 1 source file
Since abs just calls __abs__ they return the same type which should be inferred as T in both cases.
I show the simpler example above with a concrete Real type but what I actually want to do is have a Protocol for abs:
from typing import Self, Protocol
class HasAbs(Protocol):
def __abs__(self) -> Self:
return self
def my_abs[T: HasAbs](value: T) -> T:
return abs(value)
However mypy incorrectly rejects this because it infers the type of abs(value) incorrectly:
$ mypy z.py
z.py:8: error: Incompatible return value type (got "HasAbs", expected "T") [return-value]
Found 1 error in 1 file (checked 1 source file)
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with the z.py examples in the issue and run mypy 1.17.1 to reproduce the differing revealed types and rejected return value. Trace how abs(value) is inferred versus value.abs(), then add a regression test showing that a generic value constrained by HasAbs retains type T and passes type checking.
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
- 45/100