Pyrely Feature Request: Ignoring # Type: Ignore Comments

Hey guys, let's dive into a feature request for Pyrely that could seriously streamline our workflow, especially when dealing with type checking and static analysis. This proposal suggests adding an option for Pyrely to ignore # type: ignore comments, and trust me, it's more useful than it might sound at first.

The Issue: Mypy and Targeted Suppressions

When it comes to type checking in Python, Mypy is a top-notch tool. However, Mypy doesn't use a simple # mypy: ignore directive. Instead, it employs # type: ignore[error-code] for more precise error suppression. This level of granularity is fantastic for pinpointing and addressing specific issues, but it can create friction when working with other tools like Pyrely. Sometimes, we want Pyrely to disregard these Mypy-specific suppressions.

Think about it: we often encounter situations where we want to selectively ignore certain errors for Mypy while still having Pyrely do its thing. This is where the ability to have Pyrely disregard # type: ignore comments becomes invaluable. It allows us to fine-tune our checks and balances, ensuring a smoother development process.

Why Ignore # type: ignore?

So, why would we want Pyrely to ignore these comments? Let's break it down. Imagine you're writing assert_type tests. These tests are crucial for verifying that your code behaves as expected in terms of types. Now, consider this scenario:

# Verify that mypy gets a type of `int`, ignoring pyrely failure
assert_type(x, int) # pyrely: ignore[assert-type]
# Verify that pyrely gets a type of `str`, ignoring mypy failure
assert_type(x, str) # type: ignore[assert-type]

In this example, we're checking that Mypy infers the type of x as int, and we're intentionally ignoring any failures from Pyrely in this case. Conversely, we want to ensure Pyrely sees x as a str, and we're suppressing Mypy errors. Without the ability for Pyrely to ignore # type: ignore, this kind of targeted testing becomes cumbersome.

This feature empowers us to write more expressive and effective tests. We can isolate specific type-checking behaviors and ensure that each tool focuses on the aspects we want it to cover. It's about having the flexibility to tailor our tools to our exact needs.

Prior Art: Pyright's Approach

It's worth noting that this concept isn't entirely new. Pyright, another excellent type checker, has a setting called enableTypeIgnoreComments. This setting can be toggled to either respect or ignore # type: ignore comments. This shows that there's precedent for this kind of functionality and that other tools in the ecosystem recognize its value. By following suit, Pyrely would align itself with best practices and provide a more consistent experience for developers who use multiple type-checking tools.

By adopting a similar approach, Pyrely can offer users a more intuitive and adaptable experience. We're not reinventing the wheel here; we're simply learning from what works well in other contexts and applying it to Pyrely to enhance its capabilities.

Benefits of Implementing This Feature

Implementing this feature would bring several key benefits:

• More Convenient assert_type Tests: As illustrated in the example, ignoring # type: ignore makes writing focused type assertions significantly easier.
• Reduced Noise: Developers can suppress Mypy-specific errors without affecting Pyrely's analysis, leading to cleaner and more focused results.
• Enhanced Flexibility: This feature offers greater control over how Pyrely interacts with type hints and suppressions.
• Consistency with Other Tools: Aligning with Pyright's approach creates a more consistent experience across different type-checking tools.

These benefits collectively contribute to a more efficient and enjoyable development experience. By reducing friction and enhancing control, we empower developers to focus on writing high-quality code.

How This Could Work in Practice

So, how might this look in practice? One way to implement this is by adding a configuration option to Pyrely, perhaps in its settings file or command-line arguments. This option could be a simple boolean flag, like --ignore-type-ignore or a similar name. When enabled, Pyrely would disregard any # type: ignore comments it encounters.

Another approach could involve a more granular configuration, allowing users to specify which error codes or categories should be ignored. This would provide even finer-grained control, but it might also add complexity to the configuration process. The key is to strike a balance between flexibility and ease of use.

Regardless of the specific implementation, the goal is to provide a clear and intuitive way for users to control how Pyrely handles # type: ignore comments. This ensures that the feature is accessible and useful to a wide range of developers, regardless of their experience level.

Potential Use Cases

Let's explore some additional scenarios where this feature could shine:

• Legacy Codebases: When working with older codebases that may not have comprehensive type hints, developers might use # type: ignore to temporarily suppress errors. With this feature, Pyrely can still analyze the code without being overwhelmed by these suppressions.
• Gradual Type Adoption: Teams adopting type hints incrementally can use # type: ignore to manage the transition. Pyrely can then be configured to focus on newly typed code while ignoring legacy suppressions.
• Third-Party Libraries: Sometimes, third-party libraries might have incomplete or incorrect type hints. Developers can use # type: ignore to work around these issues, and Pyrely can be configured to respect these workarounds.

These use cases highlight the versatility of this feature. It's not just about specific testing scenarios; it's about making Pyrely a more adaptable and practical tool for a wide range of development tasks.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Enhancement

In conclusion, adding the ability for Pyrely to ignore # type: ignore comments is a worthwhile enhancement. It addresses a real pain point in the Python type-checking ecosystem and aligns Pyrely with best practices established by other tools like Pyright. By providing this flexibility, Pyrely can become an even more valuable asset for developers striving to write robust and maintainable code.

This feature request isn't just about adding a new option; it's about empowering developers with greater control and precision in their workflows. It's about making Pyrely a more intuitive and adaptable tool that seamlessly integrates into existing development practices. So, let's make this happen and take Pyrely to the next level!

By giving Pyrely the ability to selectively ignore these comments, we unlock a new level of control and precision in our type-checking workflows. This seemingly small change can have a significant impact on developer productivity and code quality.

Let's discuss this further and explore the best way to bring this feature to life. Your feedback and insights are invaluable in shaping the future of Pyrely! What are your thoughts on this proposal? How would you envision using this feature in your projects?

Let's make Pyrely even better, together! Thanks for considering this feature request, guys!