Re:Pyston v2: Faster Python
by throwaway894345 on Thursday October 29, 2020 @10:30AM
(#24930820)
I'm not aware of any definition of 'generic' that prohibits casting. It certainly seems like a very arbitrary condition. Basically I'm familiar with two definitions:
1. The abstract idea of writing an algorithm that supports a variety of types. This allows for casting, reflection, dynamic typing, etc.
2. The specific idea of a type system that allows for parameterized types (aka "typesafe generics"). This definition excludes castng, reflection, and dynamic typing.
Typically "typesafe generics" is what people talk about when they discuss "generics", but since you chose to pick the "dynamically typed languages are generic" nit, I assumed you were talking about (1).
1. The abstract idea of writing an algorithm that supports a variety of types. This allows for casting, reflection, dynamic typing, etc.
2. The specific idea of a type system that allows for parameterized types (aka "typesafe generics"). This definition excludes castng, reflection, and dynamic typing.
Typically "typesafe generics" is what people talk about when they discuss "generics", but since you chose to pick the "dynamically typed languages are generic" nit, I assumed you were talking about (1).