[Axiom-developer] Re: categorical design, aldor, and the type system

[Dylan Thurston]

On Thu, Oct 09, 2003 at 10:20:13AM -0400, Tim Daly wrote:
> re: type system
> 
> We need to examine what exists in depth and decide what the best
> algorithms are for type conversion. I figure we can do this by
> understanding the existing type lattice, codifying the adhoc
> algorithms current in use, and developing a "coercion theory"
> that shows what the algorithms should do. That way we aren't
> just "patching" the problem. We're developing a theory that needs
> to exist. To this end I've started collecting the raw data of
> the existing type signatures so we can do the first step.

Hmm?  Surely the algorithm used for doing automatic type coercions is
independent of the existing heirarchy?

Peace,
        Dylan