Using directive

Binding methods to types with using

Methods can be bound to builtin types and any user-defined types like structs using the using syntax. This can be done either using libraries or free standing functions.

using with free standing functions

First, declare a function with one or more arguments. Once the function is bound with using, it can be called like a method.

function mask(uint v, uint bits) returns (uint) {
    return v & ((1 << bits) - 1);
}

function odd(uint v) returns (bool) {
    return (v & 1) != 0;
}

contract c {
    using {mask, odd} for *;

    int v;

    function set_v(int n) public {
        v = n.mask(16);
    }
}

The using declaration can be done on file scope. In this case, the type must be specified in place of *. The first argument must match the type that is be used in the using declaration.

If a user-defined type is used, the the global keyword can be used. This means the using binding can be used in any file, even when the type is imported.

struct User {
    string name;
    uint count;
}

function clear_count(User memory user) {
    user.count = 0;
}

using {clear_count} for User global;

Now even when User is imported, the clear_count() method can be used.

import {User} from "user.sol";

contract c {
    function foo(User memory user) {
        user.clear_count();
    }
}

using with libraries

A library may be used for handling methods on a type. First, declare a library with all the methods you want for a type, and then bind the library to the type with using.

struct User {
    string name;
    uint name;
}

library UserLibrary {
    function clear_count(User user) internal {
        user.count = 0;
    }

    function inc(User user) internal {
        user.count++;
    }

    function dec(User user) internal {
        require(user.count > 0);
        user.count--;
    }
}

using UserLibrary for User global;

Scope for using

The using declaration may be scoped in various ways:

• Globally by adding the global keyword. This means the methods are available in any file.

• Per file, by omitting the global keyword

• Per contract, by putting the using declaration in a contract definition

If the scope is per contract, then the type maybe be replaced with * and the type from the first argument of the function will be used.