Another example of how AI is bad, bug fix for 20875

[libxmoc]

On Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 14:06:58 UTC, Dennis wrote:
> On Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 12:41:59 UTC, user1234 wrote:
>> the problem is not about arguments. The problem is that the 
>> sub-expression is not callable. I.E the error message shoud be 
>> the same as when you unfortunatetly, completly exhausted after 
>> a 12 hours shift, write
>>
>> ```d
>> void main()
>> {
>>     alias FT = void(int);
>>     FT(0);
>> }
>> ```
>
> The compiler analyses expressions depth first. It checks 
> arguments before checking whether the expression is callable. 
> If you change `FT(0)` into `FT("")`, it reports "Error: cannot 
> implicitly convert expression `""` of type `string` to `int`" 
> which hides the "type `void(int)` is not an expression" error. 
> This has always been the case.
>
> Conversely, once you fix the argument list in the test case of 
> 20875 you will get the "is not an expression" error. Also note 
> that calling a type is not necessarily an error, it's fine when 
> you don't actually need the value. For example:
>
> ```D
> alias T = typeof(typeof(res.front)());
> ```
>
> If you think the "is not an expression" should have priority 
> over the argument list error, that's a valid enhancement 
> request, but it would be harder to implement (goes against the 
> natural bottom up analysis order of the compiler) and would be 
> a separate change. The bugfix simply follows existing 
> architectural choices of dmd.
>
> I don't appreciate the rabble rousing on the forum by the way. 
> I would have preferred a review comment on GitHub, or a new 
> issue asking to improve the error message. I like working on 
> open source, but it can be stressful for me when I feel like 
> there's a large group of strangers watching me, eager to point 
> out every way I'm doing things wrong.

This happens all the time, not just in tech, so try not to get 
too upset about it. When your work is public, people will praise 
you for good stuff but also criticize your decisions.


Your contributions are very much appreciated, thanks Dennis!