Aliases for Result

Introduction

In this lab, we learn how to create aliases for a specific Result type in Rust, allowing us to reuse it multiple times and conveniently define all associated Results within a module.

Note: If the lab does not specify a file name, you can use any file name you want. For example, you can use main.rs, compile and run it with rustc main.rs && ./main.

aliases for Result

How about when we want to reuse a specific Result type many times? Recall that Rust allows us to create aliases. Conveniently, we can define one for the specific Result in question.

At a module level, creating aliases can be particularly helpful. Errors found in a specific module often have the same Err type, so a single alias can succinctly define all associated Results. This is so useful that the std library even supplies one: io::Result!

Here's a quick example to show off the syntax:

use std::num::ParseIntError;

// Define a generic alias for a `Result` with the error type `ParseIntError`.
type AliasedResult<T> = Result<T, ParseIntError>;

// Use the above alias to refer to our specific `Result` type.
fn multiply(first_number_str: &str, second_number_str: &str) -> AliasedResult<i32> {
    first_number_str.parse::<i32>().and_then(|first_number| {
        second_number_str.parse::<i32>().map(|second_number| first_number * second_number)
    })
}

// Here, the alias again allows us to save some space.
fn print(result: AliasedResult<i32>) {
    match result {
        Ok(n)  => println!("n is {}", n),
        Err(e) => println!("Error: {}", e),
    }
}

fn main() {
    print(multiply("10", "2"));
    print(multiply("t", "2"));
}

Summary

Congratulations! You have completed the Aliases for Result lab. You can practice more labs in LabEx to improve your skills.