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| 1 | +# Option Modifiers |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +Instead of exposing internal record structures, this library |
| 4 | +uses **Option Modifiers**: functions of type `Config -> Config` |
| 5 | +(endomorphisms) that are composed to build a final configuration. |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +## Advantages |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +* **Clean Composition:** Use the standard `.` operator to chain multiple |
| 10 | +options together seamlessly. |
| 11 | +* **Encapsulation:** The internal record structure and field names |
| 12 | +remain hidden, preventing breaking changes if the implementation shifts. |
| 13 | +* **Order Independence:** Unlike positional arguments, the order of |
| 14 | +modifiers in a chain does not affect the final result (unless a specific |
| 15 | +option is overridden). |
| 16 | +* **Unified Interface:** Removes the need for record syntax or multiple |
| 17 | +constructor patterns. There is only one way to specify options: through |
| 18 | +functions. |
| 19 | +* **Bundling:** Common configurations can be pre-composed into a single |
| 20 | +named modifier (e.g., `standardRecursive = withRecursive FollowTopLink . |
| 21 | +withForce True`). |
| 22 | +* **Discipline:** By limiting the "surface area" of the API, we reduce |
| 23 | +the possibility of misuse or invalid state transitions. |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +## Disadvantages |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +* **Discovery:** Users cannot simply "see" the available options via a |
| 28 | +record definition; they must rely on module documentation. |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | +* **Introspection:** It is difficult to inspect a composed modifier |
| 31 | +chain to see what it "contains" before applying it to a base |
| 32 | +configuration. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +## Modifiers and Setters |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +We use the prefix `with` for option modifiers (e.g., `withRecursive`, |
| 37 | +`withForce`). |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +**Why `with`?** |
| 40 | +Unlike `set`, which implies an imperative "action" or a binary toggle, |
| 41 | +`with` conveys a functional transformation. It suggests that the |
| 42 | +resulting operation will be performed *with* a specific property or |
| 43 | +value, regardless of the previous state. |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +## Expressing All Possible Values |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +A modifier must be **total**. It should not merely "toggle" a default; |
| 48 | +it must allow the user to explicitly define the desired state. |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | +If a user receives a pre-composed bundle of modifiers, they may not know |
| 51 | +the current state of a specific option. To ensure predictable behavior, |
| 52 | +the modifier must allow them to force a value (e.g., `withVerbose True` |
| 53 | +or `withVerbose False`), ensuring the final config matches their intent |
| 54 | +regardless of the input chain. |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +## Reset to Default |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +While the base configuration starts with library defaults, we provide |
| 59 | +`resetOption` functions (e.g., `resetRecursive`). |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +These are useful when you want to "neutralize" an option within a |
| 62 | +specific composition. For example, if you have a `standardConfig` bundle |
| 63 | +that includes recursion, but for one specific call you want to ensure it |
| 64 | +is disabled, you can simply append `. resetRecursive` to the chain. |
| 65 | + |
| 66 | +## Summary |
| 67 | + |
| 68 | +By using composed endomorphisms, we provide a declarative DSL for |
| 69 | +filesystem operations. This approach balances the flexibility of a |
| 70 | +record with the safety and elegance of functional composition, covering |
| 71 | +all use cases while maintaining a strict, predictable API. |
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