The purpose of syntax classes

[Alexandr]

Hello, 

I have created an issue in stackoverflow.com: Scalaz, the purpose of *syntax classes

Here is a little bit changed definition of Functor and example of how to use it:

trait Functor[F[_]] {
  def map[A,B](fa: F[A])(f: A => B): F[B]
}
object Functor {
  def fmap[F[_], A,B](as:F[A])(f:A=>B)
                    (implicit ff:Functor[F]):F[B] =
    ff.map(as)(f)


  implicit val listFunctor = new Functor[List] {
    def map[A,B](as: List[A])(f: A => B): List[B] = as map f
  }
}
...
import com.savdev.NewLibrary._
val r = fmap(List(1,2))(_.toString)


final class FunctorOps[F[_], A](self: F[A])(implicit ff:Functor[F]){
  def qmap[B](f:A=>B):F[B] = ff.map(self)(f)
}
trait ToFunctorOps {
  implicit def ToFunctorOps[F[_],A](v: F[A])(implicit F0: Functor[F]) =
    new FunctorOps[F,A](v)
}
object NewLibrary extends ToFunctorOps
...
import com.savdev.NewLibrary._
val r = fmap(List(1,2))(_.toString)

The code is slightly changed. But the idea is that we define:

1. An abstraction and its API (algebra)
2. Define helper generic functions that use implicits and implicits themselves
3. Enrich existing types to be able to use our new abstraction. Implicit convertion is used for that. In scalaz we define a final class for a wrapper and implicit converters in traits

All above, the motivation of it and how it can be used by a client is clear. But in scalaz to each such module definition, there is also a related *Syntax class. I cannot understand the purpose of it. Can you please exlain, why it is needed and HOW it can be used in a client code.

In Scalaz it is defined as:

trait FunctorSyntax[F[_]] {
  implicit def ToFunctorOps[A](v: F[A]): FunctorOps[F, A] =
    new FunctorOps[F, A](v)(FunctorSyntax.this.F)
  def F: Functor[F]
}

Can you please explain and show example, when and how it can be used?