Module :: former

A flexible implementation of the Builder pattern supporting nested builders and collection-specific subformers.

What is Former?

The former crate provides a powerful derive macro, #[ derive( Former ) ], that automatically implements the Builder pattern for your Rust structs and enums.

Its primary goal is to simplify the construction of complex objects, especially those with numerous fields, optional values, default settings, collections, or nested structures, making your initialization code more readable and maintainable.

Why Use Former?

Compared to manually implementing the Builder pattern or using other builder crates, former offers several advantages:

• Reduced Boilerplate: #[ derive( Former ) ] automatically generates the builder struct, storage, and setters, saving you significant repetitive coding effort.
• Fluent & Readable API: Construct objects step-by-step using clear, chainable methods (.field_name( value )).
• Effortless Defaults & Optionals: Fields automatically use their Default implementation if not set. Option< T > fields are handled seamlessly – you only set them if you have a Some( value ). Custom defaults can be specified easily with #[ former( default = ... ) ].
• Powerful Collection & Nested Struct Handling: former truly shines with its subformer system. Easily build Vec, HashMap, HashSet, and other collections element-by-element, or configure nested structs using their own dedicated formers within the parent's builder chain. This is often more complex to achieve with other solutions.

Installation

Add former to your Cargo.toml:

cargo add former

The default features enable the Former derive macro and support for standard collections, covering most common use cases.

Basic Usage

Derive Former on your struct and use the generated ::former() method to start building:

# #[ cfg( any( not( feature = "derive_former" ), not( feature = "enabled" ) ) ) ]
# fn main() {}
# #[ cfg( all( feature = "derive_former", feature = "enabled" ) ) ]
# fn main()
# {
  use former::Former;

  #[ derive( Debug, PartialEq, Former ) ]
  pub struct UserProfile
  {
    age : i32, // Required field
    username : String, // Required field
    bio : Option< String >, // Optional field
  }

  let profile = UserProfile::former()
  .age( 30 )
  .username( "JohnDoe".to_string() )
  // .bio is optional, so we don't *have* to call its setter
  .form();

  let expected = UserProfile
  {
    age : 30,
    username : "JohnDoe".to_string(),
    bio : None, // Defaults to None if not set
  };
  assert_eq!( profile, expected );
  dbg!( &profile );
  // > &profile = UserProfile {
  // >     age: 30,
  // >     username: "JohnDoe",
  // >     bio: None,
  // > }

  // Example setting the optional field:
  let profile_with_bio = UserProfile::former()
  .age( 30 )
  .username( "JohnDoe".to_string() )
  .bio( "Software Developer".to_string() ) // Set the optional bio
  .form();

  let expected_with_bio = UserProfile
  {
    age : 30,
    username : "JohnDoe".to_string(),
    bio : Some( "Software Developer".to_string() ),
  };
  assert_eq!( profile_with_bio, expected_with_bio );
  dbg!( &profile_with_bio );
  // > &profile_with_bio = UserProfile {
  // >     age: 30,
  // >     username: "JohnDoe",
  // >     bio: Some( "Software Developer" ),
  // > }
# }

Run this example locally | Try it online

Handling Optionals and Defaults

Former makes working with optional fields and default values straightforward:

• Option< T > Fields: As seen in the basic example, fields of type Option< T > automatically default to None. You only need to call the setter if you have a Some( value ).

• Custom Defaults: For required fields that don't implement Default, or when you need a specific default value other than the type's default, use the #[ former( default = ... ) ] attribute:

# #[ cfg( any( not( feature = "derive_former" ), not( feature = "enabled" ) ) ) ]
# fn main() {}
# #[ cfg( all( feature = "derive_former", feature = "enabled" ) ) ]
# fn main()
# {
  use former::Former;

  #[ derive( Debug, PartialEq, Former ) ]
  pub struct Config
  {
    #[ former( default = 1024 ) ] // Use 1024 if .buffer_size() is not called
    buffer_size : i32,
    timeout : Option< i32 >, // Defaults to None
    #[ former( default = true ) ] // Default for bool
    enabled : bool,
  }

  // Only set the optional timeout
  let config1 = Config::former()
  .timeout( 5000 )
  .form();

  assert_eq!( config1.buffer_size, 1024 ); // Got default
  assert_eq!( config1.timeout, Some( 5000 ) );
  assert_eq!( config1.enabled, true ); // Got default

  // Set everything, overriding defaults
  let config2 = Config::former()
  .buffer_size( 4096 )
  .timeout( 1000 )
  .enabled( false )
  .form();

  assert_eq!( config2.buffer_size, 4096 );
  assert_eq!( config2.timeout, Some( 1000 ) );
  assert_eq!( config2.enabled, false );
# }

See full example code

Building Collections & Nested Structs (Subformers)

Where former significantly simplifies complex scenarios is in building collections (Vec, HashMap, etc.) or nested structs. It achieves this through subformers. Instead of setting the entire collection/struct at once, you get a dedicated builder for the field:

Example: Building a Vec

# #[ cfg( not( all( feature = "enabled", feature = "derive_former", any( feature = "use_alloc", not( feature = "no_std" ) ) ) ) ) ]
# fn main() {}
# #[ cfg( all( feature = "enabled", feature = "derive_former", any( feature = "use_alloc", not( feature = "no_std" ) ) ) ) ]
# fn main()
# {
  use former::Former;

  #[ derive( Debug, PartialEq, Former ) ]
  pub struct Report
  {
    title : String,
    #[ subform_collection ] // Enables the `.entries()` subformer
    entries : Vec< String >,
  }

  let report = Report::former()
  .title( "Log Report".to_string() )
  .entries() // Get the subformer for the Vec
    .add( "Entry 1".to_string() ) // Use subformer methods to modify the Vec
    .add( "Entry 2".to_string() )
    .end() // Return control to the parent former (ReportFormer)
  .form(); // Finalize the Report

  assert_eq!( report.title, "Log Report" );
  assert_eq!( report.entries, vec![ "Entry 1".to_string(), "Entry 2".to_string() ] );
  dbg!( &report );
  // > &report = Report {
  // >     title: "Log Report",
  // >     entries: [
  // >         "Entry 1",
  // >         "Entry 2",
  // >     ],
  // > }
# }

See Vec example | See HashMap example

former provides different subform attributes (#[ subform_collection ], #[ subform_entry ], #[ subform_scalar ]) for various collection and nesting patterns.

Key Features Overview

• Automatic Builder Generation: #[ derive( Former ) ] for structs and enums.
• Fluent API: Chainable setter methods for a clean construction flow.
• Defaults & Optionals: Seamless handling of Default values and Option< T > fields. Custom defaults via #[ former( default = ... ) ].
• Subformers: Powerful mechanism for building nested structures and collections:
  • #[ subform_scalar ]: For fields whose type also derives Former.
  • #[ subform_collection ]: For collections like Vec, HashMap, HashSet, etc., providing methods like .add() or .insert().
  • #[ subform_entry ]: For collections where each entry is built individually using its own former.
• Customization:
  • Rename setters: #[ scalar( name = ... ) ], #[ subform_... ( name = ... ) ].
  • Disable default setters: #[ scalar( setter = false ) ], #[ subform_... ( setter = false ) ].
  • Define custom setters directly in impl Former.
  • Specify collection definitions: #[ subform_collection( definition = ... ) ].
• Advanced Control:
  • Storage-only fields: #[ storage_fields( ... ) ].
  • Custom mutation logic: #[ mutator( custom ) ] + impl FormerMutator.
  • Custom end-of-forming logic: Implement FormingEnd.
  • Custom collection support: Implement Collection traits.
• Component Model: Separate derives (Assign, ComponentFrom, ComponentsAssign, FromComponents) for type-based field access and conversion (See former_types documentation).

Where to Go Next

• Advanced Usage & Concepts: Dive deeper into subformers, customization options, storage, context, definitions, mutators, and custom collections.
• Examples Directory: Explore practical, runnable examples showcasing various features.
• API Documentation (docs.rs): Get detailed information on all public types, traits, and functions.
• Repository (GitHub): View the source code, contribute, or report issues.