src/items/associated-items.md

r[items.associated]
# Associated items

r[items.associated.syntax]
```grammar,items
AssociatedItem ->
    OuterAttribute* (
        MacroInvocationSemi
      | ( Visibility? ( TypeAlias | ConstantItem | Function ) )
    )
```

r[items.associated.intro]
*Associated Items* are the items declared in [traits] or defined in [implementations]. They are called this because they are defined on an associate type — the type in the implementation.

r[items.associated.kinds]
They are a subset of the kinds of items you can declare in a module. Specifically, there are [associated functions] (including methods), [associated types], and [associated constants].

[associated functions]: #associated-functions-and-methods
[associated types]: #associated-types
[associated constants]: #associated-constants

r[items.associated.related]
Associated items are useful when the associated item is logically related to the associating item. For example, the `is_some` method on `Option` is intrinsically related to Options, so should be associated.

r[items.associated.decl-def]
Every associated item kind comes in two varieties: definitions that contain the actual implementation and declarations that declare signatures for definitions.

r[items.associated.trait-items]
It is the declarations that make up the contract of traits and what is available on generic types.

r[items.associated.fn]
## Associated functions and methods

r[items.associated.fn.intro]
*Associated functions* are [functions] associated with a type.

r[items.associated.fn.decl]
An *associated function declaration* declares a signature for an associated function definition. It is written as a function item, except the function body is replaced with a `;`.

r[items.associated.name]
The identifier is the name of the function.

r[items.associated.same-signature]
The generics, parameter list, return type, and where clause of the associated function must be the same as the associated function declarations's.

r[items.associated.fn.def]
An *associated function definition* defines a function associated with another type. It is written the same as a [function item].

> [!NOTE]
> A common example is an associated function named `new` that returns a value of the type with which it is associated.

```rust
struct Struct {
    field: i32
}

impl Struct {
    fn new() -> Struct {
        Struct {
            field: 0i32
        }
    }
}

fn main () {
    let _struct = Struct::new();
}
```

r[items.associated.fn.qualified-self]
When the associated function is declared on a trait, the function can also be called with a [path] that is a path to the trait appended by the name of the trait. When this happens, it is substituted for `<_ as Trait>::function_name`.

```rust
trait Num {
    fn from_i32(n: i32) -> Self;
}

impl Num for f64 {
    fn from_i32(n: i32) -> f64 { n as f64 }
}

// These 4 are all equivalent in this case.
let _: f64 = Num::from_i32(42);
let _: f64 = <_ as Num>::from_i32(42);
let _: f64 = <f64 as Num>::from_i32(42);
let _: f64 = f64::from_i32(42);
```

r[items.associated.fn.method]
### Methods

r[items.associated.fn.method.intro]
Associated functions whose first parameter is named `self` are called *methods* and may be invoked using the [method call operator], for example, `x.foo()`, as well as the usual function call notation.

r[items.associated.fn.method.self-ty]
If the type of the `self` parameter is specified, it is limited to types resolving to one generated by the following grammar (where `'lt` denotes some arbitrary lifetime):

```text
P = &'lt S | &'lt mut S | Box<S> | Rc<S> | Arc<S> | Pin<P>
S = Self | P
```

The `Self` terminal in this grammar denotes a type resolving to the implementing type. This can also include the contextual type alias `Self`, other type aliases, or associated type projections resolving to the implementing type.

```rust
# use std::rc::Rc;
# use std::sync::Arc;
# use std::pin::Pin;
// Examples of methods implemented on struct `Example`.
struct Example;
type Alias = Example;
trait Trait { type Output; }
impl Trait for Example { type Output = Example; }
impl Example {
    fn by_value(self: Self) {}
    fn by_ref(self: &Self) {}
    fn by_ref_mut(self: &mut Self) {}
    fn by_box(self: Box<Self>) {}
    fn by_rc(self: Rc<Self>) {}
    fn by_arc(self: Arc<Self>) {}
    fn by_pin(self: Pin<&Self>) {}
    fn explicit_type(self: Arc<Example>) {}
    fn with_lifetime<'a>(self: &'a Self) {}
    fn nested<'a>(self: &mut &'a Arc<Rc<Box<Alias>>>) {}
    fn via_projection(self: <Example as Trait>::Output) {}
}
```

r[associated.fn.method.self-pat-shorthands]
Shorthand syntax can be used without specifying a type, which have the following equivalents:

Shorthand             | Equivalent
----------------------|-----------
`self`                | `self: Self`
`&'lifetime self`     | `self: &'lifetime Self`
`&'lifetime mut self` | `self: &'lifetime mut Self`

> [!NOTE]
> Lifetimes can be, and usually are, elided with this shorthand.

r[associated.fn.method.self-pat-mut]
If the `self` parameter is prefixed with `mut`, it becomes a mutable variable, similar to regular parameters using a `mut` [identifier pattern]. For example:

```rust
trait Changer: Sized {
    fn change(mut self) {}
    fn modify(mut self: Box<Self>) {}
}
```

As an example of methods on a trait, consider the following:

```rust
# type Surface = i32;
# type BoundingBox = i32;
trait Shape {
    fn draw(&self, surface: Surface);
    fn bounding_box(&self) -> BoundingBox;
}
```

This defines a trait with two methods. All values that have [implementations] of this trait while the trait is in scope can have their `draw` and `bounding_box` methods called.

```rust
# type Surface = i32;
# type BoundingBox = i32;
# trait Shape {
#     fn draw(&self, surface: Surface);
#     fn bounding_box(&self) -> BoundingBox;
# }
#
struct Circle {
    // ...
}

impl Shape for Circle {
    // ...
#   fn draw(&self, _: Surface) {}
#   fn bounding_box(&self) -> BoundingBox { 0i32 }
}

# impl Circle {
#     fn new() -> Circle { Circle{} }
# }
#
let circle_shape = Circle::new();
let bounding_box = circle_shape.bounding_box();
```

r[items.associated.fn.params.edition2018]
> [!EDITION-2018]
> In the 2015 edition, it is possible to declare trait methods with anonymous parameters (e.g. `fn foo(u8)`). This is deprecated and an error as of the 2018 edition. All parameters must have an argument name.

r[items.associated.fn.param-attributes]
#### Attributes on method parameters

Attributes on method parameters follow the same rules and restrictions as [regular function parameters].

r[items.associated.type]
## Associated types

r[items.associated.type.intro]
*Associated types* are [type aliases] associated with another type.

r[items.associated.type.restrictions]
Associated types cannot be defined in [inherent implementations] nor can they be given a default implementation in traits.

r[items.associated.type.decl]
An *associated type declaration* declares a signature for associated type definitions. It is written in one of the following forms, where `Assoc` is the name of the associated type, `Params` is a comma-separated list of type, lifetime or const parameters, `Bounds` is a plus-separated list of trait bounds that the associated type must meet, and `WhereBounds` is a comma-separated list of bounds that the parameters must meet:

<!-- ignore: illustrative example forms -->
```rust,ignore
type Assoc;
type Assoc: Bounds;
type Assoc<Params>;
type Assoc<Params>: Bounds;
type Assoc<Params> where WhereBounds;
type Assoc<Params>: Bounds where WhereBounds;
```

r[items.associated.type.name]
The identifier is the name of the declared type alias.

r[items.associated.type.impl-fulfillment]
The optional trait bounds must be fulfilled by the implementations of the type alias.

r[items.associated.type.sized]
There is an implicit [`Sized`] bound on associated types that can be relaxed using the special `?Sized` bound.

r[items.associated.type.def]
An *associated type definition* defines a type alias for the implementation of a trait on a type.

r[items.associated.type.def-restriction]
They are written similarly to an *associated type declaration*, but cannot contain `Bounds`, but instead must contain a `Type`:

<!-- ignore: illustrative example forms -->
```rust,ignore
type Assoc = Type;
type Assoc<Params> = Type; // the type `Type` here may reference `Params`
type Assoc<Params> = Type where WhereBounds;
type Assoc<Params> where WhereBounds = Type; // deprecated, prefer the form above
```

r[items.associated.type.alias]
If a type `Item` has an associated type `Assoc` from a trait `Trait`, then `<Item as Trait>::Assoc` is a type that is an alias of the type specified in the associated type definition.

r[items.associated.type.param]
Furthermore, if `Item` is a type parameter, then `Item::Assoc` can be used in type parameters.

r[items.associated.type.generic]
Associated types may include [generic parameters] and [where clauses]; these are often referred to as *generic associated types*, or *GATs*. If the type `Thing` has an associated type `Item` from a trait `Trait` with the generics `<'a>` , the type can be named like `<Thing as Trait>::Item<'x>`, where `'x` is some lifetime in scope. In this case, `'x` will be used wherever `'a` appears in the associated type definitions on impls.

```rust
trait AssociatedType {
    // Associated type declaration
    type Assoc;
}

struct Struct;

struct OtherStruct;

impl AssociatedType for Struct {
    // Associated type definition
    type Assoc = OtherStruct;
}

impl OtherStruct {
    fn new() -> OtherStruct {
        OtherStruct
    }
}

fn main() {
    // Usage of the associated type to refer to OtherStruct as <Struct as AssociatedType>::Assoc
    let _other_struct: OtherStruct = <Struct as AssociatedType>::Assoc::new();
}
```

An example of associated types with generics and where clauses:

```rust
struct ArrayLender<'a, T>(&'a mut [T; 16]);

trait Lend {
    // Generic associated type declaration
    type Lender<'a> where Self: 'a;
    fn lend<'a>(&'a mut self) -> Self::Lender<'a>;
}

impl<T> Lend for [T; 16] {
    // Generic associated type definition
    type Lender<'a> = ArrayLender<'a, T> where Self: 'a;

    fn lend<'a>(&'a mut self) -> Self::Lender<'a> {
        ArrayLender(self)
    }
}

fn borrow<'a, T: Lend>(array: &'a mut T) -> <T as Lend>::Lender<'a> {
    array.lend()
}

fn main() {
    let mut array = [0usize; 16];
    let lender = borrow(&mut array);
}
```

### Associated types container example

Consider the following example of a `Container` trait. Notice that the type is available for use in the method signatures:

```rust
trait Container {
    type E;
    fn empty() -> Self;
    fn insert(&mut self, elem: Self::E);
}
```

In order for a type to implement this trait, it must not only provide implementations for every method, but it must specify the type `E`. Here's an implementation of `Container` for the standard library type `Vec`:

```rust
# trait Container {
#     type E;
#     fn empty() -> Self;
#     fn insert(&mut self, elem: Self::E);
# }
impl<T> Container for Vec<T> {
    type E = T;
    fn empty() -> Vec<T> { Vec::new() }
    fn insert(&mut self, x: T) { self.push(x); }
}
```

### Relationship between `Bounds` and `WhereBounds`

In this example:

```rust
# use std::fmt::Debug;
trait Example {
    type Output<T>: Ord where T: Debug;
}
```

Given a reference to the associated type like `<X as Example>::Output<Y>`, the associated type itself must be `Ord`, and the type `Y` must be `Debug`.

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause]
### Required where clauses on generic associated types

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause.intro]
Generic associated type declarations on traits currently may require a list of where clauses, dependent on functions in the trait and how the GAT is used. These rules may be loosened in the future; updates can be found [on the generic associated types initiative repository](https://rust-lang.github.io/generic-associated-types-initiative/explainer/required_bounds.html).

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause.valid-fn]
In a few words, these where clauses are required in order to maximize the allowed definitions of the associated type in impls. To do this, any clauses that *can be proven to hold* on functions (using the parameters of the function or trait) where a GAT appears as an input or output must also be written on the GAT itself.

```rust
trait LendingIterator {
    type Item<'x> where Self: 'x;
    fn next<'a>(&'a mut self) -> Self::Item<'a>;
}
```

In the above, on the `next` function, we can prove that `Self: 'a`, because of the implied bounds from `&'a mut self`; therefore, we must write the equivalent bound on the GAT itself: `where Self: 'x`.

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause.intersection]
When there are multiple functions in a trait that use the GAT, then the *intersection* of the bounds from the different functions are used, rather than the union.

```rust
trait Check<T> {
    type Checker<'x>;
    fn create_checker<'a>(item: &'a T) -> Self::Checker<'a>;
    fn do_check(checker: Self::Checker<'_>);
}
```

In this example, no bounds are required on the `type Checker<'a>;`. While we know that `T: 'a` on `create_checker`, we do not know that on `do_check`. However, if `do_check` was commented out, then the `where T: 'x` bound would be required on `Checker`.

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause.forward]
The bounds on associated types also propagate required where clauses.

```rust
trait Iterable {
    type Item<'a> where Self: 'a;
    type Iterator<'a>: Iterator<Item = Self::Item<'a>> where Self: 'a;
    fn iter<'a>(&'a self) -> Self::Iterator<'a>;
}
```

Here, `where Self: 'a` is required on `Item` because of `iter`. However, `Item` is used in the bounds of `Iterator`, the `where Self: 'a` clause is also required there.

r[items.associated.type.generic-where-clause.static]
Finally, any explicit uses of `'static` on GATs in the trait do not count towards the required bounds.

```rust
trait StaticReturn {
    type Y<'a>;
    fn foo(&self) -> Self::Y<'static>;
}
```

r[items.associated.const]
## Associated constants

r[items.associated.const.intro]
*Associated constants* are [constants] associated with a type.

r[items.associated.const.decl]
An *associated constant declaration* declares a signature for associated constant definitions. It is written as `const`, then an identifier, then `:`, then a type, finished by a `;`.

r[items.associated.const.name]
The identifier is the name of the constant used in the path. The type is the type that the definition has to implement.

r[items.associated.const.def]
An *associated constant definition* defines a constant associated with a type. It is written the same as a [constant item].

r[items.associated.const.eval]
Associated constant definitions undergo [constant evaluation] only when referenced. Further, definitions that include [generic parameters] are evaluated after monomorphization.

```rust,compile_fail
struct Struct;
struct GenericStruct<const ID: i32>;

impl Struct {
    // Definition not immediately evaluated
    const PANIC: () = panic!("compile-time panic");
}

impl<const ID: i32> GenericStruct<ID> {
    // Definition not immediately evaluated
    const NON_ZERO: () = if ID == 0 {
        panic!("contradiction")
    };
}

fn main() {
    // Referencing Struct::PANIC causes compilation error
    let _ = Struct::PANIC;

    // Fine, ID is not 0
    let _ = GenericStruct::<1>::NON_ZERO;

    // Compilation error from evaluating NON_ZERO with ID=0
    let _ = GenericStruct::<0>::NON_ZERO;
}
```

### Associated constants examples

A basic example:

```rust
trait ConstantId {
    const ID: i32;
}

struct Struct;

impl ConstantId for Struct {
    const ID: i32 = 1;
}

fn main() {
    assert_eq!(1, Struct::ID);
}
```

Using default values:

```rust
trait ConstantIdDefault {
    const ID: i32 = 1;
}

struct Struct;
struct OtherStruct;

impl ConstantIdDefault for Struct {}

impl ConstantIdDefault for OtherStruct {
    const ID: i32 = 5;
}

fn main() {
    assert_eq!(1, Struct::ID);
    assert_eq!(5, OtherStruct::ID);
}
```

[`Arc<Self>`]: ../special-types-and-traits.md#arct
[`Box<Self>`]: ../special-types-and-traits.md#boxt
[`Pin<P>`]: ../special-types-and-traits.md#pinp
[`Rc<Self>`]: ../special-types-and-traits.md#rct
[`Sized`]: ../special-types-and-traits.md#sized
[traits]: traits.md
[type aliases]: type-aliases.md
[inherent implementations]: implementations.md#inherent-implementations
[identifier]: ../identifiers.md
[identifier pattern]: ../patterns.md#identifier-patterns
[implementations]: implementations.md
[type]: ../types.md#type-expressions
[constants]: constant-items.md
[constant item]: constant-items.md
[functions]: functions.md
[function item]: ../types/function-item.md
[method call operator]: ../expressions/method-call-expr.md
[path]: ../paths.md
[regular function parameters]: functions.md#attributes-on-function-parameters
[generic parameters]: generics.md
[where clauses]: generics.md#where-clauses
[constant evaluation]: ../const_eval.md