FLIP 293: StructStringer interface

cadence/20241010-stringer-interface.md

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+---
+status: draft 
+flip: 293
+authors: Raymond Zhang ([email protected])
+sponsor: Supun Setunga ([email protected]) 
+updated: 2024-10-21
+---
+
+# FLIP 293: Stringer Interface
+
+## Objective
+
+This FLIP proposes the addition of a struct interface `StructStringer` to Cadence, which all string-convertible structs will implement. Note that some languages distinguish between a "human-readable representation" and a "debug representation". The purpose of the `StructStringer` interface is to help with providing "human-readable representations" of `AnyStruct` and is separate from the "debug representation" which already exists.
+
+One goal of this FLIP is to simplify the process for representing `AnyStruct` as a `String`. Secondly, a customizable `toString` will be useful for future string formatting such as string interpolation with this interface. 
+
+## Motivation
+
+Currently if a developer wants to accept a value as `AnyStruct` and convert it to a string they have to identify which subtype the value belongs to and call the associated `toString` function. This leads to code such as the following
+```cadence
+access(all) fun toString(_ value: AnyStruct): String? {
+    if let stringValue = value as? String {
+        return stringValue
+    } else if let boolValue = value as? Bool {
+        return boolValue ? "true" : "false"
+    } else if let characterValue = value as? Character {
+        return characterValue.toString()
+    } else if let addressValue = value as? Address {
+        return addressValue.toString()
+    } else if let pathValue = value as? Path {
+        return pathValue.toString()
+    } else if let intValue = value as? Int {
+        return intValue.toString()
+    }
+    ...
+}
+```
+With the proposed addition, the code could be simplified to 
+```cadence
+access(all) fun toString(_ value: AnyStruct): String? {
+    if let stringerValue = value as? {StructStringer} {
+        return stringerValue.toString()
+    }
+}
+```
+Additionally a conforming struct can be converted to a `String` in the same function which was not previously possible. This can be useful for various string formatting functions.
+
+## User Benefit
+
+This will significantly streamline the process of converting `AnyStruct` values to `String` which is useful for developers, in providing human readable descriptions. It also allows for more powerful string formatting functions.
+
+## Design Proposal
+
+The proposed interface is as follows
+
+```cadence
+access(all) 
+struct interface StructStringer {
+    access(all)
+    view fun toString(): String
+}
+```
+
+The prefix `Struct` is present to make it clear this is a struct interface and in the future a resource interface can be added.
+
+### Drawbacks
+
+As with all user-defined types there are risks associated with calling someone else's `toString` function such as panic or gas usage concerns that developers need to be aware of.
+
+### Alternatives Considered
+
+An alternative is to have `AnyStruct` itself implement a `toString` function. As a native function there is no longer any risk of malicious code and it still solves the first goal. Additionally, it still allows for more powerful string formatting. The downside of this approach is in limiting customizability for developers.
+
+### Performance Implications
+
+None.
+
+### Dependencies
+
+None.
+
+### Engineering Impact
+
+This change should be simple to implement.
+
+### Best Practices
+
+Reduce code size in converting `AnyStruct` to `String`.
+
+### Compatibility
+
+Proposed changes are backwards compatible.
+
+### User Impact
+
+Feature addition, no impact.
+
+## Related Issues
+
+[string formatting](https://github.com/onflow/cadence/issues/3579)
+
+## Prior Art
+
+Many languages have an interface for formatting types as `String` such as
+
+- [`Display` trait](https://doc.rust-lang.org/std/fmt/trait.Display.html) in Rust
+- [`Stringer` interface](https://pkg.go.dev/fmt#Stringer) in Go
+- [`CustomStringConvertible`](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swift/customstringconvertible)  in Swift
+