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rusttraits

Method cannot be called on Option due to unsatisfied trait bounds, needs to be iterator


I know that the cloned() here is unnecessary but I want to know why it requires that Values implement the Iterator trait.

Minimal reproducible example

#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
enum Values {
    Foo,
    Bar
}

fn f(mut values: impl Iterator<Item=Values>) {
    // (HERE) Why to clone Option<Values> should implement Iterator???
    if let Some(v1) = values.next().cloned() {
        if let Some(v2) = values.next() {
            println!("Foo");
        }
    }
}

fn main() {
    let mut values = vec![
        Values::Foo,
        Values::Bar
    ];
    
    f(values.into_iter());
}

Error

error[E0599]: the method `cloned` exists for enum `Option<Values>`, but its trait bounds were not satisfied
   --> src/main.rs:8:37
    |
8   |       if let Some(v1) = values.next().cloned() {
    |                                       ^^^^^^ method cannot be called on `Option<Values>` due to 
unsatisfied trait bounds
    |
    = note: the following trait bounds were not satisfied:
            `Option<Values>: Iterator`
            which is required by `&mut Option<Values>: Iterator`

Playground link


Solution

  • There are two applicable cloned functions, Iterator::cloned and Option::cloned.
    The Option::cloned does not apply in this case, since it is only available for types like Option<&T>. In the example it is a Option<Value> which is not a reference.
    Iterator::cloned could apply, if the trait bound Option<Values>: Iterator is satisfied, which is why this is part of the suggestion. Both functions would be wrong in this context to use.

    Maybe you meant to use the clone function which would indeed be unnecessary.