Structural vs Nominal Typing

The cluster focuses on debates about structural typing versus nominal typing in programming languages, including distinctions from duck typing and discussions on the role and benefits of type systems.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Programming Languages
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#4802
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Keywords

e.g ArrayList lang.org JS MustHappenInTransaction cto.net play.nim lang.com AdministratorsOnly GNU type typing types structural sword nominal int word words duck

Sample Comments

ravenstine • Feb 15, 2023 • View on HN

Types aren't everything to everyone.

CamperBob2 • Feb 20, 2024 • View on HN

What are some examples of types that don't?

leafario2 • Feb 17, 2021 • View on HN

That's exactly what types are for dude

Solarsail • Nov 11, 2014 • View on HN

Structural types, as opposed to nominal types?

diroussel • Nov 11, 2014 • View on HN

It's called structural typing.

majjgepolja • Aug 4, 2021 • View on HN

I guess the word is structural typing.

designcode • Sep 8, 2017 • View on HN

Yeah types are a feature, not a bug

tome • Mar 19, 2022 • View on HN

Yes, but those aren't types, they're values.

coldtea • Nov 11, 2014 • View on HN

No, structural typing. It has a name already.

tines • Jul 18, 2025 • View on HN

Nominal typing is the opposite, I think you're thinking of structural typing, no?