Bug 3999 [Was: Re: Implicit enum conversions are a stupid PITA]

[Andrei Alexandrescu]

On 03/25/2010 11:57 AM, Lars T. Kyllingstad wrote:
> Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
>> On 03/25/2010 11:17 AM, bearophile wrote:
>>> Andrei Alexandrescu:
>>>> The problem is it asks you to insert casts all too often. I think the
>>>> value range propagation is a principled and correct solution to that
>>>> problem.
>>>
>>> In bugzilla I have asked to disable the implicit conversion enum =>
>>> base type in an equality test, see:
>>> http://d.puremagic.com/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=3999
>>>
>>> In bugzilla I have never asked to disable implicit signed => unsigned
>>> casts, I am able to see they are two quite different situations.
>>>
>>> I think the implicit conversions from enum => base types are uncommon
>>> enough, so they can't introduce too many casts.
>>>
>>> If Walter doesn't agree with me (and few other people here) then
>>> there's no point in keeping bug 3999 open, it can be closed. Because
>>> it's better to fix/change similar things now, when the D2 language is
>>> not diffused yet. Later such changes are harder to do.
>>>
>>> In bugzilla there are few other things that deserve a similar look.
>>> Those changes can't be done all at the same time, but the decision
>>> can be taken in a short enough time, and it's better to think about
>>> them now.
>>>
>>> Bye and thank you for your attention,
>>> bearophile
>>
>> I think defining a integral() function that gives the value of the
>> enum as an appropriately-typed integral number wouldn't harm.
>>
>> Andrei
>
> Why not let to!int() do this?
>
> -Lars

Because an enum that uses long as a base will not be converted. 
integral() would automatically deduce and return the appropriate base type.

Andrei