rust-lang / rust-lang/rust

Trait implementations error message confusing when taking a reference of a reference

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Description

Code
trait GenericImage {}
trait Canvas {}

impl<I> Canvas for I
where
    I: GenericImage,
{}


pub fn draw<C>(canvas: &mut C)
where
    C: Canvas,
{
    draw_filled_rect_mut(&mut canvas);
}

pub fn draw_filled_rect_mut<C>(_canvas: &mut C)
where
    C: Canvas,
{
    todo!()
}
Current output
error[E0277]: the trait bound `&mut C: Canvas` is not satisfied
  --> src/lib.rs:14:26
   |
14 |     draw_filled_rect_mut(&mut canvas);
   |     -------------------- ^^^^^^^^^^^ the trait `GenericImage` is not implemented for `&mut C`
   |     |
   |     required by a bound introduced by this call
   |
help: this trait has no implementations, consider adding one
  --> src/lib.rs:1:1
   |
1  | trait GenericImage {}
   | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
note: required for `&mut C` to implement `Canvas`
  --> src/lib.rs:4:9
   |
4  | impl<I> Canvas for I
   |         ^^^^^^     ^
5  | where
6  |     I: GenericImage,
   |        ------------ unsatisfied trait bound introduced here
note: required by a bound in `draw_filled_rect_mut`
  --> src/lib.rs:19:8
   |
17 | pub fn draw_filled_rect_mut<C>(_canvas: &mut C)
   |        -------------------- required by a bound in this function
18 | where
19 |     C: Canvas,
   |        ^^^^^^ required by this bound in `draw_filled_rect_mut`

For more information about this error, try `rustc --explain E0277`.
error: could not compile `playground` (lib) due to 1 previous error
Desired output
error[E0277]: the trait bound `&mut C: Canvas` is not satisfied
  --> src/lib.rs:14:26
   |
14 |     draw_filled_rect_mut(&mut canvas);
   |     -------------------- ^^^^^^^^^^^ the trait `GenericImage` is not implemented for `&mut C`
   |     |
   |     required by a bound introduced by this call
   |
help: The trait-bound is satisfied for `canvas`, but not `&mut canvas`.
Rationale and extra context

No response

Other cases

Rust Version
Tested in playground: https://play.rust-lang.org/?version=nightly&mode=debug&edition=2024&gist=beb18623866b4914d0da0fce16a2e4f0

Build using the Nightly version: 1.91.0-nightly
(2025-08-29 fe55364329579d361b1a)
Anything else?

No response

Contributor guide

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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

Reproduce the diagnostic with the provided src/lib.rs example in the Rust Playground, starting at draw and draw_filled_rect_mut. Compare the current E0277 output with the requested concise help message and trace the compiler diagnostic path responsible for the trait-bound explanation. Done means the reference-of-a-reference case emits the requested guidance without the current verbose suggestions.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
compilers
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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