Enum-Driven State: Authoring Guide
When writing new code, model state as sum types from the start. Don't create optional fields that depend on other fields.
Before You Write
Ask these questions about your data:
- •What are the mutually exclusive states? (e.g., Loading, Success, Error)
- •For each state, what data is required? (e.g., Success needs
data, Error needserror) - •Is there any data shared across ALL states? (e.g.,
id,timestamp→ keep on wrapper)
Decision Flow
code
Does this entity have distinct modes/phases/states?
│
├─ YES → Define a sum type with one variant per state
│ Each variant holds only its required data
│
└─ NO → A simple struct/class is fine
But watch for optional fields creeping in later
Patterns to Apply
Async/Remote Data
typescript
// Start here, not with optional fields
type RemoteData<T> =
| { status: 'idle' }
| { status: 'loading' }
| { status: 'success'; data: T }
| { status: 'error'; error: Error };
Polymorphic Entities
rust
// When type determines structure, use enum not optionals
enum Shape {
Circle { radius: f64 },
Rectangle { width: f64, height: f64 },
}
Workflow/Lifecycle States
python
@dataclass
class Draft:
content: str
@dataclass
class Published:
content: str
published_at: datetime
url: str
@dataclass
class Archived:
content: str
archived_at: datetime
reason: str
Article = Draft | Published | Archived
Connection/Session State
kotlin
sealed interface ConnectionState {
data object Disconnected : ConnectionState
data class Connecting(val attempt: Int) : ConnectionState
data class Connected(val socket: Socket) : ConnectionState
data class Error(val reason: Throwable) : ConnectionState
}
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
❌ Don't start with this:
typescript
interface User {
id: string;
status: 'guest' | 'registered' | 'premium';
email?: string; // only if registered/premium
subscriptionId?: string; // only if premium
expiresAt?: Date; // only if premium
}
✅ Start with this:
typescript
type User =
| { status: 'guest'; id: string }
| { status: 'registered'; id: string; email: string }
| { status: 'premium'; id: string; email: string; subscriptionId: string; expiresAt: Date };
Shared Data Pattern
When some fields exist on ALL variants, wrap them:
rust
struct Event {
id: Uuid,
timestamp: DateTime,
payload: EventPayload, // The sum type
}
enum EventPayload {
UserCreated { name: String },
OrderPlaced { items: Vec<Item> },
PaymentFailed { reason: String },
}
Checklist When Authoring
- • Identified all mutually exclusive states
- • Each state has a dedicated variant/case
- • Data lives INSIDE its variant, not as optional sibling
- • Shared fields are on a wrapper struct
- • No optional field depends on another field's value