Even with `if b then String else I32`, you're translating to a generative construction `FOutput`. Do you merge all definitions of FOutput? Does that mean you can't link 2 programs using `if b then String else I32`?
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Or do you add partial conversions that throw "must not happen" errors when failing?
The last is probably a good idea with your constraints, at least as a first try. It will need (more) serious testing of the output, but you should test it anyway so :-).
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Yeah, this is very good point that I'd forgotten about. I was intending to generate coercion-style things between these generative things, and yeah, I absolutely will be testing this stuff! I've got no idea how challenging this will be though. 😨
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Linking is absolutely a frustrating issue with this approach. At the moment separate compilation of binary format descriptions is a desirable, but far off goal. Not sure how I'd handle that yet.
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Thanks again for all these thoughts! They've come to me in the past, but somewhere along the line they fell out of my head.
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Last time this happened to me, I wrote a draft paper describing my approach, as Simon PJ recommends. Maybe call it a design document?
The point of that, by convincing your audience that your approach works, you'll notice where it doesn't yet and how to fix it.
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Yes, I like this idea! I have been wanting to make documentation for the language anyway (including internal docs), and this might be a good chance to start. I've also been sketching things out in Makam, but I feel like I might need an even lighter weight option here?
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I guess there's an implicit hierarchy of prototypes — I'm not that organized, but idealizing, my actual scratchpad is made with OneNote & C. + Apple Pencil (or anything good enough for math), what sounds good gets typeset and explained, and what's still good gets implemented.
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Yeah lots of my time on this project has been consumed by:
1. been getting to grips with the subject matter
2. figuring out ways to efficiently prototype
Been rather challenging - I've gone down _so_ many paths for both. Fun, but exhausting! And still got lots to learn!
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Yeah, sounds about right for research, and I haven't forgotten you're in industry :-)
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Replying to
Yeah - I'm very fortunate in ways, but also feel rather lacking in mentorship/guidance, so I'm grateful for the little tidbits of help I can get online! Thankfully my employer has been pretty patient with me so far! Still wish I could manage to go faster.