[Haskell-cafe] type classes

[Peter Padawitz]

I'd like to define several instances of the same type class with the
same type variable instance. Only method instances differ. How can I do
this without writing copies of the type class?

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[Lutz Donnerhacke]

* Peter Padawitz wrote:
> I'd like to define several instances of the same type class with the
> same type variable instance. Only method instances differ. How can I do
> this without writing copies of the type class?

Define the type class in a module named "MyClass". Define the each instance
in a module named "MyInstanceX" where X is a version number.

Include only the "MyInstanceX" module, you currently need.

[Ketil Malde]

Lutz Donnerhacke <lu...@iks-jena.de> writes:

> * Peter Padawitz wrote:
>> I'd like to define several instances of the same type class with the
>> same type variable instance. Only method instances differ. How can I do
>> this without writing copies of the type class?

> Define the type class in a module named "MyClass". Define the each instance
> in a module named "MyInstanceX" where X is a version number.

> Include only the "MyInstanceX" module, you currently need.

Or, if you need more than one at the same time, wrap your data type in
one newtype per instance.

-k
--
If I haven't seen further, it is by standing in the footprints of giants

[Jules Bean]

Peter Padawitz wrote:
> I'd like to define several instances of the same type class with the
> same type variable instance. Only method instances differ. How can I do
> this without writing copies of the type class?

newtypes and modules have both been suggested.

I have another suggestion:

Don't!

Don't use typeclasses.

The only useful thing about typeclasses is that they are a kind of
type-indexed family of dictionaries. If you don't want to use the type
indexin, then don't use classes. Just use your own kind of dictionary.

E.g., instead of:

class Foo a where { bar :: a -> Int; baz :: a -> String }

instance Foo Double ...
instance Foo Double ... -- bother, I wanted a different Double instance!

you should just have:

data Foo a = Foo { bar :: a -> Int, baz :: a -> String }

foo1 :: Foo Double
foo1 = Foo { ... }

foo2 :: Foo Double
foo2 = Foo { ... }

-- now I can have as many 'instances' for the same type as I want!

Jules