typelevel / typelevel/cats

algebra.ring.Semiring conflicts with Wikipedia Semiring definition in that it lacks a `one` element

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Scala
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Description

The term Semiring is overloaded in Mathematics. . Cats uses an older terminology, where what Cats calls rig many people call Semiring.

NLab: "nowadays the primary definition of semiring used is the fourth [ie wikipedia] definition"

If there was ever a rebuild of Cats, I argue it should align with Wikipedia and nLab terminology. I also personally prefer this formulation which makes Semiring more powerful since it gives access to the one element.

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Research direction

Start by reading algebra-core/src/main/scala/algebra/ring/Rig.scala and the linked Cats and Wikipedia/NLab definitions to understand the terminology conflict. The issue does not specify a concrete implementation or acceptance criteria; a completed effort would need an agreed terminology change and scope for a Cats rebuild.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
scala
Domain
tooling
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
20/100

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