rust-lang / rust-lang/reference

Clarify longest match behavior of the grammar

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A-grammar
Dominant language
Rust
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Description

https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/expressions.html claims as binds tighter than than + or <

Indeed, with +: let b = 0 as u32 + 0 as u32 parses correctly,

However, with <: let b = 0 as u32 < 0 as u32 gives a syntax error.

I suspect this is due to a conflict in the grammar that looks ahead at the token < and sees the beginning of a type application (in types), but if I'm reading just https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/expressions.html#r-expr.precedence there's not enough information for me to write a correct Rust syntax printer.

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Research direction

Start with the Rust Reference expressions page, especially the precedence section linked in the issue, and compare the + and < examples. Trace the grammar wording relevant to the lookahead for <; done means the Reference clearly explains the longest-match behavior and provides enough guidance for a correct Rust syntax printer.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
documentation
Issue type
Documentation
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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