Skip to main content
Version: 1.0

Interfaces

An interface is an abstract type that specifies the behavior of types that implement the interface. Interfaces declare the required functions and fields, the access control for those declarations, and preconditions and postconditions that implementing types need to provide.

There are three kinds of interfaces:

  • Structure interfaces: implemented by structures
  • Resource interfaces: implemented by resources
  • Contract interfaces: implemented by contracts

Structure, resource, and contract types may implement multiple interfaces.

There is no support for event and enum interfaces.

Nominal typing applies to composite types that implement interfaces. This means that a type only implements an interface if it has explicitly declared the conformance, the composite type does not implicitly conform to an interface, even if it satisfies all requirements of the interface.

Interfaces consist of the function and field requirements that a type implementing the interface must provide implementations for. Interface requirements, and therefore also their implementations, must always be at least public.

Variable field requirements may be annotated to require them to be publicly settable.

Function requirements consist of the name of the function, parameter types, an optional return type, and optional preconditions and postconditions.

Field requirements consist of the name and the type of the field. Field requirements may optionally declare a getter requirement and a setter requirement, each with preconditions and postconditions.

Calling functions with preconditions and postconditions on interfaces instead of concrete implementations can improve the security of a program, as it ensures that even if implementations change, some aspects of them will always hold.

Interface Declaration​

Interfaces are declared using the struct, resource, or contract keyword, followed by the interface keyword, the name of the interface, and the requirements, which must be enclosed in opening and closing braces.

Field requirements can be annotated to require the implementation to be a variable field, by using the var keyword; require the implementation to be a constant field, by using the let keyword; or the field requirement may specify nothing, in which case the implementation may either be a variable or a constant field.

Field requirements and function requirements must specify the required level of access. The access must be at least be public, so the access(all) keyword must be provided.

Interfaces can be used in types. This is explained in detail in the section Interfaces in Types. For now, the syntax {I} can be read as the type of any value that implements the interface I.


_81
// Declare a resource interface for a fungible token.
_81
// Only resources can implement this resource interface.
_81
//
_81
access(all)
_81
resource interface FungibleToken {
_81
_81
// Require the implementing type to provide a field for the balance
_81
// that is readable in all scopes (`access(all)`).
_81
//
_81
// Neither the `var` keyword, nor the `let` keyword is used,
_81
// so the field may be implemented as either a variable
_81
// or as a constant field.
_81
//
_81
access(all)
_81
balance: Int
_81
_81
// Require the implementing type to provide an initializer that
_81
// given the initial balance, must initialize the balance field.
_81
//
_81
init(balance: Int) {
_81
pre {
_81
balance >= 0:
_81
"Balances are always non-negative"
_81
}
_81
post {
_81
self.balance == balance:
_81
"the balance must be initialized to the initial balance"
_81
}
_81
_81
// NOTE: The declaration contains no implementation code.
_81
}
_81
_81
// Require the implementing type to provide a function that is
_81
// callable in all scopes, which withdraws an amount from
_81
// this fungible token and returns the withdrawn amount as
_81
// a new fungible token.
_81
//
_81
// The given amount must be positive and the function implementation
_81
// must add the amount to the balance.
_81
//
_81
// The function must return a new fungible token.
_81
// The type `{FungibleToken}` is the type of any resource
_81
// that implements the resource interface `FungibleToken`.
_81
//
_81
access(all)
_81
fun withdraw(amount: Int): @{FungibleToken} {
_81
pre {
_81
amount > 0:
_81
"the amount must be positive"
_81
amount <= self.balance:
_81
"insufficient funds: the amount must be smaller or equal to the balance"
_81
}
_81
post {
_81
self.balance == before(self.balance) - amount:
_81
"the amount must be deducted from the balance"
_81
}
_81
_81
// NOTE: The declaration contains no implementation code.
_81
}
_81
_81
// Require the implementing type to provide a function that is
_81
// callable in all scopes, which deposits a fungible token
_81
// into this fungible token.
_81
//
_81
// No precondition is required to check the given token's balance
_81
// is positive, as this condition is already ensured by
_81
// the field requirement.
_81
//
_81
// The parameter type `{FungibleToken}` is the type of any resource
_81
// that implements the resource interface `FungibleToken`.
_81
//
_81
access(all)
_81
fun deposit(_ token: @{FungibleToken}) {
_81
post {
_81
self.balance == before(self.balance) + token.balance:
_81
"the amount must be added to the balance"
_81
}
_81
_81
// NOTE: The declaration contains no implementation code.
_81
}
_81
}

Note that the required initializer and functions do not have any executable code.

Struct and resource Interfaces can only be declared directly inside contracts, i.e. not inside of functions. Contract interfaces can only be declared globally and not inside contracts.

Interface Implementation​

Declaring that a type implements (conforms) to an interface is done in the type declaration of the composite type (e.g., structure, resource): The kind and the name of the composite type is followed by a colon (:) and the name of one or more interfaces that the composite type implements.

This will tell the checker to enforce any requirements from the specified interfaces onto the declared type.

A type implements (conforms to) an interface if it declares the implementation in its signature, provides field declarations for all fields required by the interface, and provides implementations for all functions required by the interface.

The field declarations in the implementing type must match the field requirements in the interface in terms of name, type, and declaration kind (e.g. constant, variable) if given. For example, an interface may require a field with a certain name and type, but leaves it to the implementation what kind the field is.

The function implementations must match the function requirements in the interface in terms of name, parameter argument labels, parameter types, and the return type.


_108
// Declare a resource named `ExampleToken` that has to implement
_108
// the `FungibleToken` interface.
_108
//
_108
// It has a variable field named `balance`, that can be written
_108
// by functions of the type, but outer scopes can only read it.
_108
//
_108
access(all)
_108
resource ExampleToken: FungibleToken {
_108
_108
// Implement the required field `balance` for the `FungibleToken` interface.
_108
// The interface does not specify if the field must be variable, constant,
_108
// so in order for this type (`ExampleToken`) to be able to write to the field,
_108
// but limit outer scopes to only read from the field, it is declared variable,
_108
// and only has public access (non-settable).
_108
//
_108
access(all)
_108
var balance: Int
_108
_108
// Implement the required initializer for the `FungibleToken` interface:
_108
// accept an initial balance and initialize the `balance` field.
_108
//
_108
// This implementation satisfies the required postcondition.
_108
//
_108
// NOTE: the postcondition declared in the interface
_108
// does not have to be repeated here in the implementation.
_108
//
_108
init(balance: Int) {
_108
self.balance = balance
_108
}
_108
_108
// Implement the required function named `withdraw` of the interface
_108
// `FungibleToken`, that withdraws an amount from the token's balance.
_108
//
_108
// The function must be public.
_108
//
_108
// This implementation satisfies the required postcondition.
_108
//
_108
// NOTE: neither the precondition nor the postcondition declared
_108
// in the interface have to be repeated here in the implementation.
_108
//
_108
access(all)
_108
fun withdraw(amount: Int): @ExampleToken {
_108
self.balance = self.balance - amount
_108
return create ExampleToken(balance: amount)
_108
}
_108
_108
// Implement the required function named `deposit` of the interface
_108
// `FungibleToken`, that deposits the amount from the given token
_108
// to this token.
_108
//
_108
// The function must be public.
_108
//
_108
// NOTE: the type of the parameter is `{FungibleToken}`,
_108
// i.e., any resource that implements the resource interface `FungibleToken`,
_108
// so any other token – however, we want to ensure that only tokens
_108
// of the same type can be deposited.
_108
//
_108
// This implementation satisfies the required postconditions.
_108
//
_108
// NOTE: neither the precondition nor the postcondition declared
_108
// in the interface have to be repeated here in the implementation.
_108
//
_108
access(all)
_108
fun deposit(_ token: @{FungibleToken}) {
_108
if let exampleToken <- token as? ExampleToken {
_108
self.balance = self.balance + exampleToken.balance
_108
destroy exampleToken
_108
} else {
_108
panic("cannot deposit token which is not an example token")
_108
}
_108
}
_108
}
_108
_108
// Declare a constant which has type `ExampleToken`,
_108
// and is initialized with such an example token.
_108
//
_108
let token <- create ExampleToken(balance: 100)
_108
_108
// Withdraw 10 units from the token.
_108
//
_108
// The amount satisfies the precondition of the `withdraw` function
_108
// in the `FungibleToken` interface.
_108
//
_108
// Invoking a function of a resource does not destroy the resource,
_108
// so the resource `token` is still valid after the call of `withdraw`.
_108
//
_108
let withdrawn <- token.withdraw(amount: 10)
_108
_108
// The postcondition of the `withdraw` function in the `FungibleToken`
_108
// interface ensured the balance field of the token was updated properly.
_108
//
_108
// `token.balance` is `90`
_108
// `withdrawn.balance` is `10`
_108
_108
// Deposit the withdrawn token into another one.
_108
let receiver: @ExampleToken <- // ...
_108
receiver.deposit(<-withdrawn)
_108
_108
// Run-time error: The precondition of function `withdraw` in interface
_108
// `FungibleToken` fails, the program aborts: the parameter `amount`
_108
// is larger than the field `balance` (100 > 90).
_108
//
_108
token.withdraw(amount: 100)
_108
_108
// Withdrawing tokens so that the balance is zero does not destroy the resource.
_108
// The resource has to be destroyed explicitly.
_108
//
_108
token.withdraw(amount: 90)

The access level for variable fields in an implementation may be less restrictive than the interface requires. For example, an interface may require a field to be at least contract-accessible (i.e. the access(contract) modifier is used), and an implementation may provide a variable field which is public, (the access(all) modifier is used).


_22
access(all)
_22
struct interface AnInterface {
_22
// Require the implementing type to provide a contract-readable
_22
// field named `a` that has type `Int`. It may be a variable
_22
// or a constant field.
_22
//
_22
access(contract)
_22
a: Int
_22
}
_22
_22
access(all)
_22
struct AnImplementation: AnInterface {
_22
// Declare a public variable field named `a` that has type `Int`.
_22
// This implementation satisfies the requirement for interface `AnInterface`:
_22
//
_22
access(all)
_22
var a: Int
_22
_22
init(a: Int) {
_22
self.a = a
_22
}
_22
}

Interfaces in Types​

Interfaces can be used in types: The type {I} is the type of all objects that implement the interface I.

This is called a intersection type: Only the functionality (members and functions) of the interface can be used when accessing a value of such a type.


_88
// Declare an interface named `Shape`.
_88
//
_88
// Require implementing types to provide a field which returns the area,
_88
// and a function which scales the shape by a given factor.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
struct interface Shape {
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
fun getArea(): Int
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
fun scale(factor: Int)
_88
}
_88
_88
// Declare a structure named `Square` the implements the `Shape` interface.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
struct Square: Shape {
_88
// In addition to the required fields from the interface,
_88
// the type can also declare additional fields.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
var length: Int
_88
_88
// Provided the field `area` which is required to conform
_88
// to the interface `Shape`.
_88
//
_88
// Since `area` was not declared as a constant, variable,
_88
// field in the interface, it can be declared.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
fun getArea(): Int {
_88
return self.length * self.length
_88
}
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
init(length: Int) {
_88
self.length = length
_88
}
_88
_88
// Provided the implementation of the function `scale`
_88
// which is required to conform to the interface `Shape`.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
fun scale(factor: Int) {
_88
self.length = self.length * factor
_88
}
_88
}
_88
_88
// Declare a structure named `Rectangle` that also implements the `Shape` interface.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
struct Rectangle: Shape {
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
var width: Int
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
var height: Int
_88
_88
// Provided the field `area which is required to conform
_88
// to the interface `Shape`.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
fun getArea(): Int {
_88
return self.width * self.height
_88
}
_88
_88
access(all)
_88
init(width: Int, height: Int) {
_88
self.width = width
_88
self.height = height
_88
}
_88
_88
// Provided the implementation of the function `scale`
_88
// which is required to conform to the interface `Shape`.
_88
//
_88
access(all)
_88
fun scale(factor: Int) {
_88
self.width = self.width * factor
_88
self.height = self.height * factor
_88
}
_88
}
_88
_88
// Declare a constant that has type `Shape`, which has a value that has type `Rectangle`.
_88
//
_88
var shape: {Shape} = Rectangle(width: 10, height: 20)

Values implementing an interface are assignable to variables that have the interface as their type.


_10
// Assign a value of type `Square` to the variable `shape` that has type `Shape`.
_10
//
_10
shape = Square(length: 30)
_10
_10
// Invalid: cannot initialize a constant that has type `Rectangle`.
_10
// with a value that has type `Square`.
_10
//
_10
let rectangle: Rectangle = Square(length: 10)

Fields declared in an interface can be accessed and functions declared in an interface can be called on values of a type that implements the interface.


_14
// Declare a constant which has the type `Shape`.
_14
// and is initialized with a value that has type `Rectangle`.
_14
//
_14
let shape: {Shape} = Rectangle(width: 2, height: 3)
_14
_14
// Access the field `area` declared in the interface `Shape`.
_14
//
_14
shape.area // is `6`
_14
_14
// Call the function `scale` declared in the interface `Shape`.
_14
//
_14
shape.scale(factor: 3)
_14
_14
shape.area // is `54`

Interface Nesting​

info

🚧 Status: Currently only contracts and contract interfaces support nested interfaces.

Interfaces can be arbitrarily nested. Declaring an interface inside another does not require implementing types of the outer interface to provide an implementation of the inner interfaces.


_23
// Declare a resource interface `OuterInterface`, which declares
_23
// a nested structure interface named `InnerInterface`.
_23
//
_23
// Resources implementing `OuterInterface` do not need to provide
_23
// an implementation of `InnerInterface`.
_23
//
_23
// Structures may just implement `InnerInterface`.
_23
//
_23
resource interface OuterInterface {
_23
_23
struct interface InnerInterface {}
_23
}
_23
_23
// Declare a resource named `SomeOuter` that implements the interface `OuterInterface`.
_23
//
_23
// The resource is not required to implement `OuterInterface.InnerInterface`.
_23
//
_23
resource SomeOuter: OuterInterface {}
_23
_23
// Declare a structure named `SomeInner` that implements `InnerInterface`,
_23
// which is nested in interface `OuterInterface`.
_23
//
_23
struct SomeInner: OuterInterface.InnerInterface {}

Contract interfaces may also declare events, which also do not require implementing types of the outer interface to "implement" the event. The event can be emitted in the declaring interface, in a condition or in a default implementation of a function. E.g.


_27
// Declare a contract interface
_27
//
_27
contract interface ContractInterface {
_27
// some event declaration
_27
//
_27
event SomeEvent()
_27
_27
// some function that emits `SomeEvent` when called
_27
//
_27
fun eventEmittingFunction() {
_27
pre {
_27
emit SomeEvent()
_27
}
_27
}
_27
}
_27
_27
// A contract implementing `ContractInterface`
_27
// Note that no declaration of `SomeEvent` is required
_27
//
_27
contract ImplementingContract: ContractInterface {
_27
// implementation of `eventEmittingFunction`;
_27
// this will emit `SomeEvent` when called
_27
//
_27
fun eventEmittingFunction() {
_27
// ...
_27
}
_27
}

Interface Default Functions​

Interfaces can provide default functions: If the concrete type implementing the interface does not provide an implementation for the function required by the interface, then the interface's default function is used in the implementation.


_27
// Declare a struct interface `Container`,
_27
// which declares a default function `getCount`.
_27
//
_27
struct interface Container {
_27
_27
let items: [AnyStruct]
_27
_27
fun getCount(): Int {
_27
return self.items.length
_27
}
_27
}
_27
_27
// Declare a concrete struct named `Numbers` that implements the interface `Container`.
_27
//
_27
// The struct does not implement the function `getCount` of the interface `Container`,
_27
// so the default function for `getCount` is used.
_27
//
_27
struct Numbers: Container {
_27
let items: [AnyStruct]
_27
_27
init() {
_27
self.items = []
_27
}
_27
}
_27
_27
let numbers = Numbers()
_27
numbers.getCount() // is 0

Interfaces cannot provide default initializers.

Only one conformance may provide a default function.

Interface inheritance​

An interface can inherit from (conform to) other interfaces of the same kind. For example, a resource interface can inherit from another resource interface, but cannot inherit from a struct interface. When an interface inherits from another, all the fields, functions, and types of the parent interface are implicitly available to the inheriting interface.


_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Receiver {
_12
access(all)
_12
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource)
_12
}
_12
_12
// `Vault` interface inherits from `Receiver` interface.
_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_12
access(all)
_12
fun withdraw(_ amount: Int): @Vault
_12
}

In the example above, Vault inherits Receiver. Anyone implementing the Vault interface would also have to implement the Receiver interface.


_10
access(all)
_10
resource MyVault: Vault {
_10
_10
// Must implement all the methods coming from both `Vault` and `Receiver` interfaces.
_10
access(all)
_10
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource) {}
_10
_10
access(all)
_10
fun withdraw(_ amount: Int): @Vault {}
_10
}

Duplicate interface members​

When an interface implements another interface, it is possible for the two interfaces to have members with the same name. The following sections explain how these ambiguities are resolved for different scenarios.

Fields​

If two fields with identical names have identical types, then it will be valid.


_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Receiver {
_12
access(all)
_12
var id: UInt64
_12
}
_12
_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_12
// `id` field has the same type as the `Receiver.id`. Hence this is valid.
_12
access(all)
_12
var id: UInt64
_12
}

Otherwise, interface conformance is not valid.


_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Receiver {
_12
access(all)
_12
var id: Int
_12
}
_12
_12
access(all)
_12
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_12
// `id` field has a different type than the `Receiver.id`. Hence this is invalid.
_12
access(all)
_12
var id: UInt64
_12
}

Functions​

If two functions with identical names also have identical signatures, that is valid.


_14
access(all)
_14
resource interface Receiver {
_14
access(all)
_14
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource)
_14
}
_14
_14
access(all)
_14
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_14
// `deposit` function has the same signature as the `Receiver.deposit`.
_14
// Also none of them have any default implementations.
_14
// Hence this is valid.
_14
access(all)
_14
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource)
_14
}

If the signatures of the two functions are different, then the interface conformance is not valid.


_13
access(all)
_13
resource interface Receiver {
_13
access(all)
_13
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource)
_13
}
_13
_13
access(all)
_13
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_13
// Error: `deposit` function has a different signature compared to the `Receiver.deposit`.
_13
// So these two cannot co-exist.
_13
access(all)
_13
fun deposit()
_13
}

Functions with conditions​

If the two functions with identical names and signatures have pre/post conditions, then it will still be valid. However, the pre/post conditions are linearized (refer to the linearizing conditions section) to determine the order of the execution of the conditions. Given the pre/post conditions are view only, the order of execution would not have an impact on the conditions.


_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Receiver {
_18
access(all)
_18
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource) {
_18
pre{ self.balance > 100 }
_18
}
_18
}
_18
_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_18
// `deposit` function has the same signature as the `Receiver.deposit`.
_18
// Having pre/post condition is valid.
_18
// Both conditions would be executed, in a pre-determined order.
_18
access(all)
_18
fun deposit(_ something: @AnyResource) {
_18
pre{ self.balance > 50 }
_18
}
_18
}

Default functions​

An interface can provide a default implementation to an inherited function.


_14
access(all)
_14
resource interface Receiver {
_14
access(all)
_14
fun log(_ message: String)
_14
}
_14
_14
access(all)
_14
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_14
// Valid: Provides the implementation for `Receiver.log` method.
_14
access(all)
_14
fun log(_ message: String) {
_14
log(message.append("from Vault"))
_14
}
_14
}

However, an interface cannot override an inherited default implementation of a function.


_16
access(all)
_16
resource interface Receiver {
_16
access(all)
_16
fun log(_ message: String) {
_16
log(message.append("from Receiver"))
_16
}
_16
}
_16
_16
access(all)
_16
resource interface Vault: Receiver {
_16
// Invalid: Cannot override the `Receiver.log` method.
_16
access(all)
_16
fun log(_ message: String) {
_16
log(message.append("from Vault"))
_16
}
_16
}

It is also invalid to have two or more inherited default implementations for an interface.


_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Receiver {
_19
access(all)
_19
fun log(_ message: String) {
_19
log(message.append("from Receiver"))
_19
}
_19
}
_19
_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Provider {
_19
access(all)
_19
fun log(_ message: String) {
_19
log(message.append("from Provider"))
_19
}
_19
}
_19
_19
// Invalid: Two default functions from two interfaces.
_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Vault: Receiver, Provider {}

Having said that, there can be situations where the same default function can be available via different inheritance paths.


_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Logger {
_18
access(all)
_18
fun log(_ message: String) {
_18
log(message.append("from Logger"))
_18
}
_18
}
_18
_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Receiver: Logger {}
_18
_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Provider: Logger {}
_18
_18
// Valid: `Logger.log()` default function is visible to the `Vault` interface
_18
// via both `Receiver` and `Provider`.
_18
access(all)
_18
resource interface Vault: Receiver, Provider {}

In the above example, Logger.log() default function is visible to the Vault interface via both Receiver and Provider. Even though it is available from two different interfaces, they are both referring to the same default implementation. Therefore, the above code is valid.

Conditions with Default functions​

A more complex situation is where a default function is available via one inheritance path and a pre/post condition is available via another inheritance path.


_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Receiver {
_19
access(all)
_19
fun log(_ message: String) {
_19
log(message.append("from Receiver"))
_19
}
_19
}
_19
_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Provider {
_19
access(all)
_19
fun log(_ message: String) {
_19
pre{ message != "" }
_19
}
_19
}
_19
_19
// Valid: Both the default function and the condition would be available.
_19
access(all)
_19
resource interface Vault: Receiver, Provider {}

In such situations, all rules applicable for default functions inheritance as well as condition inheritance would be applied. Thus, the default function from coming from the Receiver interface, and the condition comes from the Provider interface would be made available for the inherited interface.

Types and event definitions​

Type and event definitions would also behave similarly to the default functions. Inherited interfaces can override type definitions and event definitions.


_19
access(all)
_19
contract interface Token {
_19
access(all)
_19
struct Foo {}
_19
}
_19
_19
access(all)
_19
contract interface NonFungibleToken: Token {
_19
access(all)
_19
struct Foo {}
_19
}
_19
_19
access(all)
_19
contract MyToken: NonFungibleToken {
_19
access(all)
_19
fun test() {
_19
let foo: Foo // This will refer to the `NonFungibleToken.Foo`
_19
}
_19
}

If a user needed to access the Foo struct coming from the super interface Token, then they can access it using the fully qualified name. e.g: let foo: Token.Foo.

However, it is not allowed to have two or more inherited type/events definitions with identical names for an interface.


_16
access(all)
_16
contract interface Token {
_16
access(all)
_16
struct Foo {}
_16
}
_16
_16
access(all)
_16
contract interface Collectible {
_16
access(all)
_16
struct Foo {}
_16
}
_16
_16
// Invalid: Two type definitions with the same name from two interfaces.
_16
access(all)
_16
contract NonFungibleToken: Token, Collectible {
_16
}

Similar to default functions, there can be situations where the same type/event definition can be available via different inheritance paths.


_15
access(all)
_15
contract interface Logger {
_15
access(all)
_15
struct Foo {}
_15
}
_15
_15
access(all)
_15
contract interface Token: Logger {}
_15
_15
access(all)
_15
contract interface Collectible: Logger {}
_15
_15
// Valid: `Logger.Foo` struct is visible to the `NonFungibleToken` interface via both `Token` and `Collectible`.
_15
access(all)
_15
contract interface NonFungibleToken: Token, Collectible {}

In the above example, Logger.Foo type definition is visible to the NonFungibleToken interface via both Token and Collectible. Even though it is available from two different interfaces, they are both referring to the same type definition. Therefore, the above code is valid.

However, if at least one of the interfaces in the middle of the chain also overrides the type definition Foo, then the code becomes invalid, as there are multiple implementations present now, which leads to ambiguity.


_21
access(all)
_21
contract interface Logger {
_21
access(all)
_21
struct Foo {}
_21
}
_21
_21
access(all)
_21
contract interface Token: Logger {
_21
access(all)
_21
struct Foo {}
_21
}
_21
_21
access(all)
_21
contract interface Collectible: Logger {}
_21
_21
// Invalid: The default implementation of the `Foo` struct by the `Logger`
_21
// interface is visible to the `NonFungibleToken` via the `Collectible` interface.
_21
// Another implementation of `Foo` struct is visible to the `NonFungibleToken` via the `Token` interface.
_21
// This creates ambiguity.
_21
access(all)
_21
resource interface NonFungibleToken: Token, Provider {}

Linearizing Conditions​

As mentioned in the functions with conditions section, it would be required to linearize the function conditions, to determine the order in which pre- and post-conditions are executed. This is done by linearizing the interfaces, and hence conditions, in a depth-first pre-ordered manner, without duplicates.

For example, consider an interface inheritance hierarchy as below:


_10
A
_10
/ \
_10
B C
_10
/ \ /
_10
D E
_10
where an edge from A (top) to B (bottom) means A inherits B.

This would convert to a Cadence implementation similar to:


_34
struct interface A: B, C {
_34
access(all)
_34
fun test() {
_34
pre { print("A") }
_34
}
_34
}
_34
_34
struct interface B: D, E {
_34
access(all)
_34
fun test() {
_34
pre { print("B") }
_34
}
_34
}
_34
_34
struct interface C: E {
_34
access(all)
_34
fun test() {
_34
pre { print("C") }
_34
}
_34
}
_34
_34
struct interface D {
_34
access(all)
_34
fun test() {
_34
pre { print("D") }
_34
}
_34
}
_34
_34
struct interface E {
_34
access(all)
_34
fun test() {
_34
pre { print("E") }
_34
}
_34
}

Any concrete type implementing interface A would be equivalent to implementing all interfaces from A to E, linearized.


_10
struct Foo: A {
_10
access(all)
_10
fun test() {
_10
pre { print("Foo") }
_10
}
_10
}

The linearized interface order would be: [A, B, D, E, C].

i.e: same as having:


_10
struct Foo: A, B, D, C, E {
_10
access(all)
_10
fun test() {
_10
pre { print("Foo") }
_10
}
_10
}

Thus, invoking test method of Foo would first invoke the pre-conditions of [A, B, D, E, C], in that particular order, and eventually runs the pre-condition of the concrete implementation Foo.


_10
let foo = Foo()
_10
foo.test()

Above will print:


_10
A
_10
B
_10
D
_10
E
_10
C
_10
Foo

Similarly, for post-conditions, the same linearization of interfaces would be used, and the post-conditions are executed in the reverse order. For example, replacing the pre conditions in the above example with post conditions with the exact same content would result in an output similar to:


_10
Foo
_10
C
_10
E
_10
D
_10
B
_10
A