[Haskell-cafe] Type Error. Why!?

[Robert Dockins]

On Nov 21, 2006, at 2:24 PM, Tim Newsham wrote:

> Can anyone tell me why I get a type error in the following code?
> I have to define liftA2 twice to avoid the type error.  Both
> times its defined identically but with different type signature.
> If I use the original liftA2 in place of liftA2' I get:
>
> whyerror.lhs:36:25:
>     Ambiguous type variable `a' in the constraint:
>       `Arrow a' arising from use of `>>>' at whyerror.lhs:36:25-27
>     Possible cause: the monomorphism restriction applied to the  
> following:
>       liftA2' :: forall b a1 b1 c. (a1 -> b1 -> c) -> a b a1 -> a b  
> b1 -> a b c
>         (bound at whyerror.lhs:36:1)
>       unsplit' :: forall a1 b c. (a1 -> b -> c) -> a (a1, b) c
>         (bound at whyerror.lhs:34:1)
>       split' :: forall b. a b (b, b) (bound at whyerror.lhs:33:1)
>     Probable fix: give these definition(s) an explicit type signature
>                   or use -fno-monomorphism-restriction


I'm not sure I understand your problem.  If I comment out split',  
unsplit' and liftA2', your program compiles and executes.

Without signatures, MR kicks in and gives the error above (which  
recommends you give signatures ;-) )  However, you've got type  
signatures, and the foul MR beast is slain, so the problem appears  
solved...


[snip code]

> Tim Newsham
> http://www.thenewsh.com/~newsham/


Rob Dockins

Speak softly and drive a Sherman tank.
Laugh hard; it's a long way to the bank.
           -- TMBG