Algebraic Effects

[MelbourneDeveloper]

Algebraic effects are the beez kneez of abstractions. Osprey is close to having algebraic effects with compile time handler safety. Osprey doesn't currently allow dynamic effects, but it will allow a dynamic approach to affect handling where the potential for missing handlers will return a result type. The focus is on compile time safety and zero cost abstraction. Osprey's approach to algebraic effects mean that you don't pay a performance price for using them, and you don't run the risk of runtime errors unless you explicitly need dynamic handlers. We will probably use a precompiler to allow switching between handlers at build time.

Some light reading:

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.1399

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1807.05923

https://www.inner-product.com/posts/direct-style-effects/

https://www.eff-lang.org/handlers-tutorial.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_system

https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3290319

Branch here:
https://github.com/MelbourneDeveloper/osprey/tree/algebraicfx3