40 lines
1.6 KiB
Plaintext
40 lines
1.6 KiB
Plaintext
---
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title: Pointers & References
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description: Explicit memory access with C-style ergonomics and Rust-native safety.
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icon: MousePointer2
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---
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Mist simplifies Rust’s reference system by using a pointer-style syntax. While the symbols look like C-style pointers, they adhere strictly to Rust’s ownership and borrowing rules.
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## Basic Syntax
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References are defined by placing a `*` after the type. By default, pointers are immutable (shared). To allow modification of the underlying data, use the `mut*` modifier.
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```cpp
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void increment(i32 mut* value, i32* limit) {
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if (value < limit) {
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value = value + 1;
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}
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}
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```
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## Lifetimes
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Lifetimes are attached directly to the type before the pointer symbol. This maintains a clean visual flow where the "type-contract" (identity, duration, and mutability) is read from left to right.
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```cpp
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public struct Inspector<'a> {
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public str'a* target,
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public u32'a mut* counter,
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}
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```
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## Key Characteristics
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- **Explicit Intent:** The `mut*` syntax clearly distinguishes between a reference that can read and one that can write, mapping 1:1 to Rust's `&` and `&mut`.
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- **Visual Consistency:** Lifetimes (`'a`) and mutability modifiers are integrated into the type declaration, keeping function signatures and struct fields compact.
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- **Safety Guaranteed:** Despite the "pointer" appearance, the Mist compiler enforces Rust’s borrow checker. You cannot have multiple `mut*` references to the same data, and references cannot outlive their owners.
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- **Zero Overhead:** Mist pointers are "thin" or "fat" exactly like Rust references; they carry no extra runtime metadata and compile to identical machine code.
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