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# Handling `UniffiTag` and using types from other crates | ||
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* Status: proposed | ||
* Deciders: Uniffi developers | ||
* Date: 2024-01-05 | ||
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## Context and Problem Statement | ||
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UniFFI's various FFI-related traits `FfiConverter`, `Lift`, `Lower`, `LiftReturn`, `LowerReturn`, etc. all have a generic "tag" parameter. | ||
The code in `uniffi_macros::setup_scaffolding` generates a zero-sized `crate::UniffiTag` type for use in that parameter in other generated code. | ||
For example, when lowering a type we use `<#type as Lower<crate::UniffiTag>>::lower`. | ||
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The reason for this is the so-called "Orphan rule", which prevents generated code from implemented a remote trait on a remote type. | ||
If the FFI traits did not have a generic parameter, then it would be impossible to generate an code that implments those traits for a type defined in another crate. | ||
See [ADR-0006 Wrapping types](./0006-wrapping-types.md) for more discussion. | ||
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For local types we have a choice: implement only for the local tag (`impl Lift<crate::UniffiTag> for MyType`) or implement it for all tags (`impl<UT> Lift<UT> for MyType)`). | ||
This choice mainly affects other crates that also want to use that type. | ||
If `crate_a` implements the traits for their local tag and `crate_b` uses that type, then users must take some explicit action to implement the FFI traits for `crate_b::UniffiTag` | ||
If `crate_a` implements the traits for all tags, then users will normally not need to take any explicit action. | ||
However, in the case where `crate_a` is implementing the trait for a remote type, then they will. | ||
This is quite confusing in the abstract, hopefully the example below clears things up. | ||
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Currently, UDL-based generation uses the former approach and proc-macros use the latter. We should pick one approach and stick with it. | ||
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### Example | ||
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- `crate_a` depends on the `bitcoin` crate and uses the [Network](https://docs.rs/bitcoin/latest/bitcoin/network/enum.Network.html) enum in their exported API. | ||
(Let's assume that we've implemented a way to do this with proc-macros, maybe some system similar to [the way serde handles it](https://serde.rs/remote-derive.html)) | ||
- `crate_a` defines/exports a `NFTGenerator` type, which is just a normal UniFFI interface. | ||
- `crate_b` depends on `crate_a` and `bitcoin` and wants to define the function `fn build_nft_generator(network: Network) -> NFTGenerator`. | ||
This is a convenience function that simplifies constructing an `NFTGenerator`. | ||
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When `crate_a` implement the FFI traits for `Network` it must implement them for its local `UniffiTag` only. | ||
However, it can implement the FFI traits for `NFTGenerator` for either its local `UniffiTag` or all tags. | ||
This choice will affect how `crate_b` "imports" the UniFFI types. | ||
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### Always implement traits for the local tag only | ||
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- `crate_a` implements the FFI traits for its local `UniffiTag` for both `Network` and `NFTGenerator`. | ||
- `crate_b` needs to take explicit action to use the UniFFI types from `crate_a`. | ||
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```rust | ||
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use crate_a::{NFTGenerator, Network}; | ||
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uniffi::use_object!(crate_a, NFTGenerator) | ||
uniffi::use_enum!(crate_a, Network) | ||
``` | ||
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Note: right now these macros are named `use_udl_object`, etc. | ||
Once proc-macros can implement traits for remote types we probably should rename them to something not specific to UDL, but the exact name is out of scope for this ADR. | ||
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### Implement traits for all tags when possible | ||
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- `crate_a` implements the FFI traits for its local `UniffiTag` for `Network` | ||
- `crate_a` implements the FFI traits for all tags for `NFTGenerator`. | ||
This is allowed since the type is local to `crate_a`. | ||
- `crate_b` only needs to take explicit action to use `Network` since it's a remote type for `crate_a`. | ||
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```rust | ||
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use crate_a::{NFTGenerator, Network}; | ||
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uniffi::use_enum!(crate_a, Network) | ||
``` | ||
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## Decision Drivers | ||
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- Using one system for UDL and a different one for proc-macros is overly complicated and therefore not discussed as an option. | ||
- TODO: add more as we discuss this. | ||
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## Considered Options | ||
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### [Option 1] Always implement FFI traits for the local tag only | ||
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### [Option 2] Implement FFI traits for all tags for non-remote tags | ||
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## Pros and Cons of the Options | ||
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### [Option 1] Always implement FFI traits for the local tag only | ||
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- Good, because it's more explicit. | ||
- Good, because it's easier to explain. | ||
Telling users "you always have to add `uniffi::use_*!`" to use a type from another crate is easier than saying you sometimes you need it and sometimes you don't. | ||
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### [Option 2] Implement FFI traits for all tags for non-remote tags | ||
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- Good, because it's less typing | ||
- Good, because it's the simplest system when remote types are not involved. | ||
This happens when all types come from the user's crates or the 3rd-party crates implement the UniFFI traits themselves. | ||
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## Decision Outcome | ||
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