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?