Scala compiler oddity #1

RiddleMeThis.scala

// So, given this declaration:

import java.io.File
val scalaDirs = new File("target").listFiles.filter(_.getName.startsWith("scala"))

// Why does this work:

scalaDirs.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes")).toList(0)

// but this fails to compile?

scalaDirs.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes")).toArray(0)

// <console>:15: error: type mismatch;
//  found   : Int(0)
//  required: scala.reflect.ClassManifest[?]
//               res8.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes")).toArray(0)

// This also fails to compile, though the error is slightly different:

scalaDirs.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes"))(0)

// <console>:15: error: type mismatch;
//  found   : Int(0)
//  required: scala.collection.generic.CanBuildFrom[Array[java.io.File],java.io.File,?]
//              res8.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes"))(0)

// ... even though

scalaDirs.take(1).map(new File(_, "classes"))

// is of type Array[File]

Ah. I like that.

@jsuereth I would rather call it pointless than pointfree ;)

I like that.

Isn't this a prime example of why Scala is hard?

(ducks)

Sure, because programming is so easy I should make McDonald's salary.

I disagree with that post of Mr. Pollak. And if you compare Scala with C++ or say C++0x it is not that hard after all...
And here some stuff for those who say Java is simple: http://www.angelikalanger.com/GenericsFAQ/JavaGenericsFAQ.html After studying this nice tutorial carefully, which I do strongly recommend, they might come up with "Java is too complex". Hard things are hard and simple things are simple, that is what you try to say - this is a tautology.

I think you'll find that Josh and I agree with you.