Dart: Storing arguments in a variable before passing - flutter

For purposes of testing, it's useful to be able to "prepare" arguments to a function before executing such that the arguments can be checked against any result.
In JavaScript I can do this:
function testFunc ({id, count}) {
/* perform some operation */
return {id, count}
}
const args = {
id: 'someId',
count: Math.round(Math.random() * 10),
}
const res = testFunc({...args})
/* check that count is correct etc */
How do I achieve the same flexibility in Dart?
Map<String, dynamic> testFunc({String id, int count}) {
/* perform some operation */
return {
'id': id,
'count': count,
};
}
final args = /* erm? */
testFunc(args); /* hmmm? */
Am I trying to push the limits of a strongly typed language?

Dart is a statically checked language.
Using a value with an unknown run-time structure, like a map, as parameters makes it impossible to statically check the validity of the arguments.
Take the example:
var data = {#name: "hello", #age: 18};
Person(...data)
(Using symbols for referring to source names, same as Function.apply and noSuchMethod).
Here it looks easy to see that the map actually has a #name and an #age entry, but that's because the map is written as a literal right next to the application. That's the one situation where you don't actually need spread arguments, because you could just write the arguments directly.
In all actually useful cases, it's not possible to see statically which entries the map has, and which types the values are for each key. The type of the map, Map<Symbol, dynamic> is not strong enough to allow checking the call. You should just use Function.apply(Person, [], data) ... except that we (still) do not allow constructors as functions (#216).
If Dart had typed structs/named tuples, it might be possible to do:
// Static type is the named tuple type `(String name, int age)`
var data = (name: "name", age: 18);
var person = Person(...data);
At this point, the static type of data is specific enough to allow the call to be checked statically.
also this is issue in GitHub which I take the answer from

Related

Dynamic Type Casting in Dart/Flutter

I am in the middle of writing a library to dynamically serialise/deserialise any object in Dart/Flutter (Similar in idea to Pydantic for Python). However, I am finding it impossible to implement the last component, dynamic type casting. This is required in order convert types from JSON, such as List to List (or similar). The types are retrieved from objects using reflection.
The below is the desired implementation (though as far as I understand this is not possible in Dart).
Map<String, Type> dynamicTypes = {"key": int };
// Regular casting would be "1" as int
int value = "1" as dynamicTypes["key"];
Is there some workaround which makes this possible to implement? Or have I reached a dead end with this (hence no other dynamic serialisation/deserialisation package already exists).
Conducting more research into this issue, it seems in Dart's current implementation this is impossible due to runtime reflection being disabled as referenced here in the official docs.
There are ongoing discussions about the support for this and the associated package dart:mirrors here on GitHub, but so far though there is some desire for such functionality it is highly unlikely to ever be implemented.
As a result, the only options are:
Use code generation libraries to generate methods.
Manual serialisation/deserialisation methods.
Implement classes with complex types such as lists and maps to be dynamic, enabling (all be it limited) automatic serialisation/deserialisation.
Your question does not specify how exactly dynamicTypes is built, or how its key is derived. So there is perhaps a detail to this that is not clear to me.
But what about something like this?
class Caster<T> {
final T Function(String) fromString;
Caster(this.fromString);
}
void main() {
Map<String, Caster> dynamicTypes = { "key": Caster<int>((s) => int.parse(s)) };
int v = dynamicTypes['key']!.fromString('1');
print(v);
}
Or, if you have the value as a dynamic rather than a string:
class Caster<T> {
T cast(dynamic value) => value as T;
}
void main() {
Map<String, Caster> dynamicTypes = { "key": Caster<int>() };
dynamic a = 1;
int v = dynamicTypes['key']!.cast(a);
print(v);
}
Or even more succinctly:
void main() {
dynamic a = 1;
int v = a;
print(v);
}

Ethers how to encode data to bytes parameters

I'm trying to test a piece of generic solidity code, I'm trying to figure out how to encode data properly for bytes parameters.
I have a function in a smart contract which looks like so:
function validateAdditionalCalldata(bytes calldata resolverOptions) external view;
function resolve(uint256 amountIn, bytes calldata resolverOptions) public override returns (uint256 amountOut) {
// Decode the additional calldata as a SwapResolverOptions struct
(SwapResolverOptions memory swapResolverOptions) = abi.decode(resolverOptions, (SwapResolverOptions));
return resolveImplementation(amountIn, swapResolverOptions);
}
This solidity code will generate code which takes in a PromiseOrValue<BytesLike>:
resolve(
amountIn: PromiseOrValue<BigNumberish>,
resolverOptions: PromiseOrValue<BytesLike>,
overrides?: Overrides & { from?: PromiseOrValue<string> }
): Promise<ContractTransaction>;
export type SwapResolverOptionsStruct = {
path: PromiseOrValue<BytesLike>;
deadline: PromiseOrValue<BigNumberish>;
amountIn: PromiseOrValue<BigNumberish>;
amountOutMinimum: PromiseOrValue<BigNumberish>;
inputTokenAddress: PromiseOrValue<string>;
targetAddress: PromiseOrValue<string>;
destinationAddress: PromiseOrValue<string>;
};
I'm wondering how I can encode a specific parameter so I can pass it along to ethers. In typescript I have a set of options that looks like this:
const resolverOptions: SwapResolverOptionsStruct = {
path: '0x00',
//This parameter will be removed in the next deployment
deadline: BigNumber.from(1000),
amountIn: BigNumber.from(100000000),
amountOutMinimum: BigNumber.from(0),
inputTokenAddress: WMATIC_MUMBAI,
destinationAddress: owner.address,
targetAddress: ADDRESS_ZERO,
};
I'm trying to encode this parameters in the following way:
import { defaultAbiCoder } from "#ethersproject/abi";
encodedResolverOptions = defaultAbiCoder.encode(
['SwapResolverOptionsStruct'],
[resolverOptions]
);
However when I try to encode it gets and error:
Error: invalid type (argument="type", value="SwapResolverOptionsStruct",
Note: in my paticular use case I cannot just encoded the whole function call.
I would like to pass my data to the validateAdditionalCalldata how ever the parameter is PromiseOrValue<BytesLike>
How can I encoded my resolverOptions so I can pass it as bytes?
I figured out a few way to do this. I'll list each one:
Resolve the type params using ethers and get function. (if there is a function which has your type in it)
const functionFragment = swapResolverInterface.getFunction("resolveImplementation");
encodedResolverOptions = defaultAbiCoder.encode(
[functionFragment.inputs[1]],
[resolverOptions]
);
Resolve it from an object and a method signature with parameter names:
encodedResolverOptions = defaultAbiCoder.encode(
["(bytes path,uint256 deadline,uint256 amountIn,uint256 amountOutMinimum,address inputTokenAddress,address destinationAddress,address targetAddress)"],
[resolverOptions]
);
Resolve it as an array from the method signature without names Note: this assumes the object was declared in the same order as the parameters, alternatively you can manually construct the array:
encodedResolverOptions = defaultAbiCoder.encode(
["(bytes,uint256,uint256,uint256,address,address,address)"],
[Object.values(resolverOptions)]
);

How to perform deep copy for a list to another list without affecting the original one in Flutter

I have two lists of Type object, _types and _filteredTypes:
List<Type> _types = []; // Original list
List<Type> _filteredTypes = []; // Where i bind filter the contents
a Type object is:
class Type extends Equatable {
final int id;
final String title;
List<SubType>? subTypes;
Type({
required this.id,
required this.title,
this.subTypes,
});
}
a SubType object is:
class SubType extends Equatable {
final int id;
final String title;
Type({
required this.id,
required this.title,
});
}
I need to filter the list based on search text, so whenever user types a letter the _filteredTypes being updated.
I do the filter on _onSearchChangedEvent() within setState() like this:
_filteredTypes = List.from(_types); // To get the original list without filter
for(var i = 0; i < _filteredTypes.length; i++) {
// This is where i filter the search result when a subType.title matches the search query:
_filteredTypes[i].subTypes = List.from(_types[i].subTypes!.where((element) => element.title.toLowerCase().contains(query!.toLowerCase())).toList());
}
// This is where i filter the search result and remove any type doesn't match any subType.title:
_filteredTypes.removeWhere((element) => element.subTypes!.length == 0);
bindTypes(); // To refresh the list widget
The problem is when i need get the original list i get the main type but type.subTypes is still filtered based on the previous search not the original one! even it is copied without reference _filteredTypes = List.from(_types);
It seems like a bug in Flutter, any idea guys?
List.from does not provide you with a deep copy of _types- it gives you a shallow copy. Meaning both _filteredTypes and _types share the same subTypes. It's similar in that behavior to this example
var sharedList = [1];
final listOne = [1, sharedList];
final listTwo = [1, sharedList];
sharedList[0] = 2;
Changing sharedList will change the value in both listOne and listTwo. If shared list was just an integer, changing that integer would not produce the same effect. Like in this example:
var sharedInteger = 1;
final listOne = [1, sharedInteger];
final listTwo = [1, sharedInteger];
sharedInteger = 2;
When you create an instance of a class may it be built in like List or your own custom class, what you get returned is a reference or a pointer to that instance/object. The object itself is allocated on the heap memory area rather than on the stack which means that this object can be referenced outside of functions. As in its life (object life) is not bound by the scope of the function so when you reach the end } of the function the object still exists, and its memory is freed by a special program called the garbage collector.
In dart as in many modern programming languages garbage collectors are used and objects are automatically allocated on the heap. In languages such as C++ for example you can allocate objects on the stack, and you have to be explicit about heap allocation, and deallocate any objects on the heap when you are done with them.
All of the above you can look up the gist of it is since subtypes is a list, it's a reference type so both _filteredTypes and _types have that reference. If you want a deep copy you can do that as well, and I'll leave it for you to look that up.
This is how to perform a deep copy for a list has sub-list, thanks moneer alhashim, your answer guided me.
I'm posting it as an answer to help someone else find the solution easy.
So, the key here is to map the original list types.map(...) and fill it manually instead of using List.from(), and that will create a new instance for deep objects.
First, i declared one function for each list:
//For the parent list:
List<Types> getNewTypesInstance {
// This function allows to perform a deep copy for the list.
return types.map((e) =>
Type(id: e.id, title: e.title, subTypes: e.subTypes))
.toList();
}
// For the child list:
List<SubType> getNewSubTypesInstance(List<SubType> lst) {
// This function allows to perform a deep copy for the list:
return lst.map((e) =>
SubType(id: e.id, title: e.title))
.toList();
}
And if you have more deep list(s), you will need third function to obtain it as new instance and so on.
Finally, the way how to call them is to write this code within setState():
_filteredTypes = getNewTypesInstance
for(var i = 0; i < _filteredTypes.length; i++) {
// This is where i filter the search result when a subType.title matches the search query:
_filteredTypes[i].subTypes = List.from(getNewSubTypesInstance(_types[i].subTypes!.where((element) => element.title.toLowerCase().contains(query!.toLowerCase())).toList()));
}
// This is where i filter the search result and remove any type doesn't match any subType.title:
_filteredTypes.removeWhere((element) => element.subTypes!.length == 0);
bindTypes(); // To refresh the list widget

When does Chapel pass by reference and when by constant?

I am looking for examples of Chapel passing by reference. This example works but it seems like bad form since I am "returning" the input. Does this waste memory? Is there an explicit way to operate on a class?
class PowerPuffGirl {
var secretIngredients: [1..0] string;
}
var bubbles = new PowerPuffGirl();
bubbles.secretIngredients.push_back("sugar");
bubbles.secretIngredients.push_back("spice");
bubbles.secretIngredients.push_back("everything nice");
writeln(bubbles.secretIngredients);
proc kickAss(b: PowerPuffGirl) {
b.secretIngredients.push_back("Chemical X");
return b;
}
bubbles = kickAss(bubbles);
writeln(bubbles.secretIngredients);
And it produces the output
sugar spice everything nice
sugar spice everything nice Chemical X
What is the most efficient way to use a function to modify Bubbles?
Whether Chapel passes an argument by reference or not can be controlled by the argument intent. For example, integers normally pass by value but we can pass one by reference:
proc increment(ref x:int) { // 'ref' here is an argument intent
x += 1;
}
var x:int = 5;
increment(x);
writeln(x); // outputs 6
The way that a type passes when you don't specify an argument is known as the default intent. Chapel passes records, domains, and arrays by reference by default; but of these only arrays are modifiable inside the function. ( Records and domains pass by const ref - meaning they are passed by reference but that the function they are passed to cannot modify them. Arrays pass by ref or const ref depending upon what the function does with them - see array default intent ).
Now, to your question specifically, class instances pass by "value" by default, but Chapel considers the "value" of a class instance to be a pointer. That means that instead of allowing a field (say) to be mutated, passing a class instance by ref just means that it could be replaced with a different class instance. There isn't currently a way to say that a class instance's fields should not be modifiable in the function (other than making them to be explicitly immutable data types).
Given all of that, I don't see any inefficiencies with the code sample you provided in the question. In particular, here:
proc kickAss(b: PowerPuffGirl) {
b.secretIngredients.push_back("Chemical X");
return b;
}
the argument accepting b will receive a copy of the pointer to the instance and the return b will return a copy of that pointer. The contents of the instance (in particular the secretIngredients array) will remain stored where it was and won't be copied in the process.
One more thing:
This example works but it seems like bad form since I am "returning" the input.
As I said, this isn't really a problem for class instances or integers. What about an array?
proc identity(A) {
return A;
}
var A:[1..100] int;
writeln(identity(A));
In this example, the return A in identity() actually does cause a copy of the array to be made. That copy wasn't created when passing the array in to identity(), since the array was passed by with a const ref intent. But, since the function returns something "by value" that was a reference, it's necessary to copy it as part of returning. See also arrays return by value by default in the language evolution document.
In any case, if one wants to return an array by reference, it's possible to do so with the ref or const ref return intent, e.g.:
proc refIdentity(ref arg) ref {
return arg;
}
var B:[1..10] int;
writeln(refIdentity(B));
Now there is no copy of the array and everything is just referring to the same B.
Note though that it's currently possible to write programs that return a reference to a variable that no longer exists. The compiler includes some checking in that area but it's not complete. Hopefully improvements in that area are coming soon.

Rust method that returns token name as a string

The stringify macro returns the string of a token passed to it:
struct A;
fn main() {
let my_identifier = A {};
assert!(stringify!(my_identifier) == "my_identifier");
}
[playground]
Is there a way to for a method to return the string of the token on which it is called?
Something like:
struct A;
impl A {
fn token_to_string(&self) -> &str{
/* ... */
}
}
fn main() {
let my_identifier = A {};
assert!(my_identifier.token_to_string() == "my_identifier");
}
[playground]
Googling for this has not been fruitful. I'm not sure if it's possible, but I thought it reasonable to ask here before diving into the implementation of stringify which would be my next step in investigating this.
No, this is not possible. These two constructs execute at different times in different contexts.
Macros execute during the process of compilation, and thus have access to all of the information about the original source files. This means they are able to process individual source tokens and perform operations based on them.
Methods execute when your program itself runs, and only have access to their arguments, and global variables. They have no data about the original sourcecode of the application, because that information is not stored in the compiled binary.