Effect Systems vs. Print Debugging: A Pragmatic Solution
a day ago
- #Debugging
- #Flix
- #Effect Systems
- Effect systems in Flix ensure functions do not lie about their effects, preventing runtime errors and enabling optimizations.
- Print debugging in effectful languages like Flix can be problematic due to strict effect checking, leading to compilation errors.
- Flix's solution involves a Debug effect that allows print debugging without altering function signatures, balancing development needs with production safety.
- The Debug effect is hidden from function signatures, ensuring optimizations are minimally impacted and debug prints only occur if the function is called.
- Flix avoids macros for debugging, instead using a debug string interpolator to provide file and line information for debug prints.