python-peps/pep-3107.txt

PEP: 3107
Title: Function Annotations
Version: $Revision$
Last-Modified: $Date$
Author: Collin Winter <collinw@gmail.com>,
        Tony Lownds <tony@lownds.com>
Status: Final
Type: Standards Track
Content-Type: text/x-rst
Created: 2-Dec-2006
Python-Version: 3.0
Post-History:


Abstract
========

This PEP introduces a syntax for adding arbitrary metadata annotations
to Python functions [#functerm]_.


Rationale
=========

Because Python's 2.x series lacks a standard way of annotating a
function's parameters and return values, a variety of tools
and libraries have appeared to fill this gap.  Some
utilise the decorators introduced in "PEP 318", while others parse a
function's docstring, looking for annotations there.

This PEP aims to provide a single, standard way of specifying this
information, reducing the confusion caused by the wide variation in
mechanism and syntax that has existed until this point.


Fundamentals of Function Annotations
====================================

Before launching into a discussion of the precise ins and outs of
Python 3.0's function annotations, let's first talk broadly about
what annotations are and are not:

1. Function annotations, both for parameters and return values, are
   completely optional.

2. Function annotations are nothing more than a way of associating
   arbitrary Python expressions with various parts of a function at
   compile-time.

   By itself, Python does not attach any particular meaning or
   significance to annotations.  Left to its own, Python simply makes
   these expressions available as described in `Accessing Function 
   Annotations`_ below.

   The only way that annotations take on meaning is when they are
   interpreted by third-party libraries.  These annotation consumers
   can do anything they want with a function's annotations.  For
   example, one library might use string-based annotations to provide
   improved help messages, like so::

        def compile(source: "something compilable",
                    filename: "where the compilable thing comes from",
                    mode: "is this a single statement or a suite?"):
            ...

   Another library might be used to provide typechecking for Python
   functions and methods.  This library could use annotations to
   indicate the function's expected input and return types, possibly
   something like::

        def haul(item: Haulable, *vargs: PackAnimal) -> Distance:
            ...

   However, neither the strings in the first example nor the
   type information in the second example have any meaning on their
   own; meaning comes from third-party libraries alone.

3. Following from point 2, this PEP makes no attempt to introduce
   any kind of standard semantics, even for the built-in types.
   This work will be left to third-party libraries.


Syntax
======

Parameters
----------

Annotations for parameters take the form of optional expressions that
follow the parameter name::

    def foo(a: expression, b: expression = 5):
        ...
        
In pseudo-grammar, parameters now look like ``identifier [:
expression] [= expression]``.  That is, annotations always precede a
parameter's default value and both annotations and default values are
optional.  Just like how equal signs are used to indicate a default
value, colons are used to mark annotations.  All annotation
expressions are evaluated when the function definition is executed,
just like default values.

Annotations for excess parameters (i.e., ``*args`` and ``**kwargs``)
are indicated similarly::

    def foo(*args: expression, **kwargs: expression):
        ...
        
Annotations for nested parameters always follow the name of the
parameter, not the last parenthesis.  Annotating all parameters of a
nested parameter is not required::

    def foo((x1, y1: expression), 
            (x2: expression, y2: expression)=(None, None)):
        ...


Return Values
-------------

The examples thus far have omitted examples of how to annotate the
type of a function's return value.  This is done like so::

    def sum() -> expression:
        ...

That is, the parameter list can now be followed by a literal ``->``
and a Python expression.  Like the annotations for parameters, this
expression will be evaluated when the function definition is executed.

The grammar for function definitions [#grammar]_ is now::

    decorator: '@' dotted_name [ '(' [arglist] ')' ] NEWLINE
    decorators: decorator+
    funcdef: [decorators] 'def' NAME parameters ['->' test] ':' suite
    parameters: '(' [typedargslist] ')'
    typedargslist: ((tfpdef ['=' test] ',')*
                    ('*' [tname] (',' tname ['=' test])* [',' '**' tname] 
                     | '**' tname)
                    | tfpdef ['=' test] (',' tfpdef ['=' test])* [','])
    tname: NAME [':' test]
    tfpdef: tname | '(' tfplist ')'
    tfplist: tfpdef (',' tfpdef)* [',']

Lambda
------

``lambda``'s syntax does not support annotations.  The syntax of
``lambda`` could be changed to support annotations, by requiring
parentheses around the parameter list.  However it was decided
[#lambda]_ not to make this change because:

1. It would be an incompatible change.
2. Lambda's are neutered anyway.
3. The lambda can always be changed to a function.


Accessing Function Annotations
==============================

Once compiled, a function's annotations are available via the
function's ``func_annotations`` attribute.  This attribute is 
a mutable dictionary, mapping parameter names to an object
representing the evaluated annotation expression

There is a special key in the ``func_annotations`` mapping,
``"return"``.  This key is present only if an annotation was supplied
for the function's return value.

For example, the following annotation::

    def foo(a: 'x', b: 5 + 6, c: list) -> max(2, 9):
        ...

would result in a ``func_annotation`` mapping of ::

    {'a': 'x',
     'b': 11,
     'c': list,
     'return': 9}

The ``return`` key was chosen because it cannot conflict with the name
of a parameter; any attempt to use ``return`` as a parameter name
would result in a ``SyntaxError``.

``func_annotations`` is an empty, mutable dictionary if there are no
annotations on the function or if the functions was created from
a ``lambda`` expression.

Use Cases
=========

In the course of discussing annotations, a number of use-cases have
been raised.  Some of these are presented here, grouped by what kind
of information they convey.  Also included are examples of existing
products and packages that could make use of annotations.

* Providing typing information

  + Type checking ([#typecheck]_, [#maxime]_)
  + Let IDEs show what types a function expects and returns ([#idle]_)
  + Function overloading / generic functions ([#scaling]_)
  + Foreign-language bridges ([#jython]_, [#ironpython]_)
  + Adaptation ([#adaptationpost]_, [#pyprotocols]_)
  + Predicate logic functions
  + Database query mapping
  + RPC parameter marshaling ([#rpyc]_)
  
* Other information

  + Documentation for parameters and return values ([#pydoc]_)


Standard Library
================

pydoc and inspect
-----------------

The ``pydoc`` module should display the function annotations when
displaying help for a function.  The ``inspect`` module should change
to support annotations.


Relation to Other PEPs
======================

Function Signature Objects [#pep-362]_
--------------------------------------

Function Signature Objects should expose the function's annotations.
The ``Parameter`` object may change or other changes may be warranted.


Implementation
==============

A reference implementation has been checked into the p3yk branch
as revision 53170 [#implementation]_.


Rejected Proposals
==================

+ The BDFL rejected the author's idea for a special syntax for adding
  annotations to generators as being "too ugly" [#rejectgensyn]_.

+ Though discussed early on ([#threadgen]_, [#threadhof]_), including
  special objects in the stdlib for annotating generator functions and
  higher-order functions was ultimately rejected as being more
  appropriate for third-party libraries; including them in the
  standard library raised too many thorny issues.

+ Despite considerable discussion about a standard type
  parameterisation syntax, it was decided that this should also be
  left to third-party libraries.  ([#threadimmlist]_,
  [#threadmixing]_, [#emphasistpls]_).
  
+ Despite yet more discussion, it was decided not to standardize
  a mechanism for annotation interoperability.  Standardizing
  interoperability conventions at this point would be premature.
  We would rather let these conventions develop organically, based
  on real-world usage and necessity, than try to force all users
  into some contrived scheme.  ([#interop0]_, [#interop1]_,
  [#interop2]_).


References and Footnotes
========================

.. [#functerm] Unless specifically stated, "function" is generally
   used as a synonym for "callable" throughout this document.

.. [#rejectgensyn]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/002103.html

.. [#typecheck]
   http://oakwinter.com/code/typecheck/

.. [#maxime]
   http://maxrepo.info/taxonomy/term/3,6/all

.. [#threadgen]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/002091.html

.. [#threadhof]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/001972.html

.. [#threadimmlist]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/002105.html

.. [#threadmixing]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/002209.html

.. [#emphasistpls]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-June/002438.html

.. [#implementation]
   http://svn.python.org/view?rev=53170&view=rev
   
.. [#grammar]
   http://docs.python.org/reference/compound_stmts.html#function-definitions

.. [#lambda]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-May/001613.html

.. [#pep-362]
   http://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0362/
   
.. [#interop0]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-3000/2006-August/002895.html
   
.. [#interop1]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-ideas/2007-January/000032.html

.. [#interop2]
   http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-list/2006-December/420645.html

.. [#idle]
   http://www.python.org/idle/doc/idle2.html#Tips
   
.. [#jython]
   http://www.jython.org/Project/index.html
   
.. [#ironpython]
   http://www.codeplex.com/Wiki/View.aspx?ProjectName=IronPython
   
.. [#pyprotocols]
   http://peak.telecommunity.com/PyProtocols.html
   
.. [#adaptationpost]
   http://www.artima.com/weblogs/viewpost.jsp?thread=155123
   
.. [#scaling]
   http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-cppeak2/
   
.. [#rpyc]
   http://rpyc.wikispaces.com/
   
.. [#pydoc]
   http://docs.python.org/library/pydoc.html
   

Copyright
=========

This document has been placed in the public domain.


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