C# feature sync: extension types

[SunnieShine]

C# language design team wants to introduce a new feature called extension, a new type kind in C# type system.

What is the feature?

This feature will allow you extending nearly everything. In C# 3, we have a feature called "Extension Methods", which can define a method that can be invoked like a normal instance:

static void Method(this int variable)
    => Console.WriteLine(variable);

Then you can use this method, just like the type int contains this method:

variable.Method();

Begin with C# 13, the feature expands the rule, to extend nearly all member kinds of a type:

• Extension Fields
• Extension Properties
• Extension Indexers
• Extension Events
• Extension Methods
• Extension Operator Overloads
• Extension Cast Operator Overloads

Although constructors cannot be extended, this feature is still "good enough" for our coding environment.

I will sync the solution, using this feature to extend all types if worth.

//
// Define
//
public implicit extension GenericExtension<T> for T where T : allows ref struct
{
    public TResult ReinterpretCast<TResult>()
        => Unsafe.As<T, TResult>(ref this);
}

//
// Consume
//
float f = 42F;
int i = f.ReinterpretCast();

To-do list

• Extend built-in types
  • Type object
    • ReinterpretCast<>: Cast the object to the other type without memory bits change, same as Unsafe.As<,>.
    • operator true and operator false: Determine whether a reference is not null.
  • Type string
    • operator *(string, int): Repeats the string multiple times (return a string[]).
    • operator /(string, int): Split the string to multiple sub-strings of the specified length.
    • operator /(string, char): Split the string using the specified character separator.
    • operator /(string, string): Split the string using the specified string separator.
  • Type char
    • operator *(char, int): Repeats the character multiple times.
  • Types byte, sbyte, ushort, short, uint, int, ulong, long, nint and nuint
    • this[int index]: Gets the bit at the specified index.
    • GetEnumerator: Iterates on each bit position.
    • operator true and operator false: Check whether the value is not 0.
  • Enumeration types
    • T.MinValue and T.MaxValue: Defines the minimal and maximum value.
    • T.All: Defines all flags combined for an enumeration type marked FlagsAttribute.
    • T.None: Introduces the field that holds the default value.
    • Reinterpret<TBase, TResult>: Converts the enumeration field of type TBase to TResult, with whose name is same; equivalent to Enum.Parse<TResult>(field.ToString()).
• Extend custom types
  • Integer types sbyte, byte, short, ushort, int, uint, long, ulong, nint and nuint
    • Fallback: Equals sizeof(TInteger) << 3, meaning the return value of TrailingZeroCount(TInteger) on value equals 0
  • IEnumerable and IEnumerable<T>
    • this[int index]: Calls ElementAt.
    • Count: Calls Count().
    • Slice: Slices the collection, also be used in slice operator ...
    • operator *: Calls Aggregate.
  • IGetSubsetMethod<TSelf, TSource>:
    • operator &(in TSelf, int): Calls GetSubsetsExact.
    • operator |(in TSelf, int): Calls GetSubsetsLower.
  • List<T>
    • operator +: Calls Add.
    • operator -: Calls Remove.
    • implicit operator ReadOnlySpan<T>: Implicit cast to ReadOnlySpan<T>.
    • implicit operator Span<T>: Implicit cast to Span<T>.
  • StringBuilder
    • operator >>: Print formatted text from builder.
    • operator <<: Add item.ToString into bulider.
  • Exception types
    • Helper methods
  • Generic type
    • explicit operator: in T -> T*