python / python/mypy

MyPy incorrectly tracks attribute type in chained ifs with assignment

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#6,810 3 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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bug false-positive priority-1-normal
Dominant language
Python
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Description

$ cat b.py 
from typing import Optional

class A:
    x: Optional[str]

def f(a: A) -> None:
    if not a.x:
        pass
    elif a.x == "x":
        a = A()
    else:
        y: str = a.x

$ mypy b.py 
b.py:12: error: Incompatible types in assignment (expression has type "Optional[str]", variable has type "str")

$ mypy --version
mypy 0.701

The assignment a = A() should not affect the code in the else branch.

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Research direction

Reproduce the diagnostic with b.py using mypy 0.701, then trace type narrowing through the chained if/elif/else and the reassignment of a. Done means the final assignment to y is accepted with a.x treated as str, without changing the reported behavior of other branches.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
compilers
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
42/100

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