This is an RFC to add a universal trait for the type limits. This is needed because at the moment of writing it is not possible to abstract types which have limits. This could be done with using generic types or trait objects, but since the min() and max() functions are not in a separate trait it is not possible. Also, providing a trait for this adds possibility to implement it for any type and so use the limits abstractions with any type, not just ones we already have.

Motivation

The motivation is simple: By providing the methods in a trait, user code is able to require with a bound X: Limit<Y> that X has certain limits of type Y, which enables generic reasoning and simplifies code.

Another motivation is that we already have inherent methods .max_value() and .min_value() on all primitive numeric types. Generalizing those methods as a trait simplifies the code and avoids duplication.

Looking at other languages, C++ provides std::numeric_limits, while Haskell provides the Bounded typeclass. This provides precedent that such a facility belongs in the standard library.

Guide-level explanation

Explain the proposal as if it was already included in the language and you were teaching it to another Rust programmer. That generally means:

Introducing new named concepts.
Explaining the feature largely in terms of examples.
Explaining how Rust programmers should think about the feature, and how it should impact the way they use Rust. It should explain the impact as concretely as possible.
If applicable, provide sample error messages, deprecation warnings, or migration guidance.
If applicable, describe the differences between teaching this to existing Rust programmers and new Rust programmers.

For implementation-oriented RFCs (e.g. for compiler internals), this section should focus on how compiler contributors should think about the change, and give examples of its concrete impact. For policy RFCs, this section should provide an example-driven introduction to the policy, and explain its impact in concrete terms.

The proposed feature adds a new trait to the standard library crate (std). The trait is called Limits.

Reference-level explanation

This is the technical portion of the RFC. Explain the design in sufficient detail that:

Its interaction with other features is clear.
It is reasonably clear how the feature would be implemented.
Corner cases are dissected by example.

The section should return to the examples given in the previous section, and explain more fully how the detailed proposal makes those examples work.

Drawbacks

Why should we not do this?

Rationale and alternatives

Why is this design the best in the space of possible designs?
What other designs have been considered and what is the rationale for not choosing them?
What is the impact of not doing this?

Unresolved questions