Simplify function declaration

Question

I would like to simplify the declaration of the following function:

use regex::Regex;

fn oper<'a, F>(regex: &str, op: F) -> (Regex, Box<dyn Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 + 'a>)
where F: Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 + 'a
{
    (Regex::new(regex).unwrap(), Box::new(op))
}

I tried to replace the Fn trait by F in the return value, but it raises an error:

fn oper<'a, F>(regex: &str, op: F) -> (Regex, Box<dyn F>)
where F: Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 + 'a
{
    (Regex::new(regex).unwrap(), Box::new(op))
}

error[E0404]: expected trait, found type parameter `F`
  --> src/lib.rs:5:55
   |
5  |   fn oper<'a, F>(regex: &str, op: F) -> (Regex, Box<dyn F>)
   |                                                         ^ help: a trait with a similar name exists: `Fn`

error: aborting due to previous error

How can simplify this declaration to avoid duplication of Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 + 'a ?

Answer 1

You could use this technique . In short, define a new trait that requires Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 and implement it for any type that already implements Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 :

use regex::Regex;

// 1. Create a new trait
pub trait MyFn: Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 {}

// 2. Implement it
impl<T> MyFn for T where T: Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 {}

fn oper<'a, F>(regex: &str, op: F) -> (Regex, Box<dyn MyFn + 'a>)
    where F: MyFn + 'a
{
    (Regex::new(regex).unwrap(), Box::new(op))
}

Note, however, that this might be less readable than just repeating Fn(i32, i32) -> i32 in the signature of oper .