diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..3aec1f02 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,86 @@ +# Type Checking with Constraint Rules + +An experimental feature for [JetBrains MPS](https://jetbrains.com/mps) implementing a better type checking and type inference using constraint rules. + +## Status + +**TODO: Build status here** + +The status of this project is **pre-release**. Don’t rely on any of the language features or the API to be stable. The purpose of this project is to show the new technology and collect early feedback. + +## Overview + +This project is the result of the research done within the MPS team in the area of code analysis using constraint rules, in particular [CHR](http://www.informatik.uni-ulm.de/pm/fileadmin/pm/home/fruehwirth/constraint-handling-rules-book.html). + +Typing rules serve as templates that produce constraint rules. Both transformation to constraint rules and evaluating is done in-memory at the time type checking is launched. Constraint rules are processed by the embedded [engine](https://github.com/fisakov/conreactor). + +The source code also contains the typing rules for *baseLanguage*, which serve to demonstrate how the various type inference problems are solved. + +## Features + +The language *jetbrains.mps.typesystem2* enables to write typing rules. A custom aspect «types» is used to store the typing rules in the language source code. + +![Example of a typing rule](/doc/img/typing-rule-example.png) + +Type checking plugin for MPS provides the actions for checking the types in a currently opened root. + +![](/doc/img/menu-example.png) + +Constraints activation trace view for debugging the process of evaluating constraint rules. + +![Activation trace](/doc/img/activation-trace-example.png) + +Once finished, the constraint rules produce the inferred types and type errors, which are added as highlighter annotations to the editor. + +![](doc/img/type-annotation-example.png) + +## Dependencies + +The source code can be opened with the latest version of JetBrains MPS, which is 2017.1. The plugin that is created with the build script is also compatible with the same version of MPS. + +## Installation + +See the downloads section of the latest release for the plugin archive. This archive has to be unpacked to the MPS plugins folder on your local drive. For example (using macOS): + +`unzip typechecker-0.1.zip -d ~/Library/Application\ Support/MPS2017.1/` + +## Hacking + +The project is built using [gradle](http://www.gradle.org). To work with the source code, follow these steps: + +1. Install JetBrains MPS using [this link](https://jetbrains.com/mps/download). +2. Clone this repository to your local drive. +3. [optional] In the project folder put a *symlink* called «MPS_HOME» that leads to the MPS home folder: + + `ln -s /Applications/MPS\ 2017.1.app/Contents MPS_HOME` + + By doing so you skip unpacking the MPS distribution by the gradle script. + +4. Run gradle using the following command: + + `gradle build` + + If you want to run the tests as well as building the project, execute this instead: + + `gradle test` + +5. The project is now ready to be opened with MPS. + + NOTE: every time the source tree is cleaned, for example with `git clean` command, the gradle build has to be run in order to download the necessary libraries. + +## License + +Copyright 2014-2017 JetBrains s.r.o. + +Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); +you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. +You may obtain a copy of the License at + +http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 + +Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software +distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, +WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. +See the License for the specific language governing permissions and +limitations under the License. + diff --git a/doc/img/activation-trace-example.png b/doc/img/activation-trace-example.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..9514a92e Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/img/activation-trace-example.png differ diff --git a/doc/img/menu-example.png b/doc/img/menu-example.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..b35935a3 Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/img/menu-example.png differ diff --git a/doc/img/type-annotation-example.png b/doc/img/type-annotation-example.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..78aaeb45 Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/img/type-annotation-example.png differ diff --git a/doc/img/typing-rule-example.png b/doc/img/typing-rule-example.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..b410031a Binary files /dev/null and b/doc/img/typing-rule-example.png differ