System $F^\omega$ with Coherent Implicit Resolution

Abstract

We propose a calculus for modeling implicit programming that supports first-class, overlapping, locally scoped, and higher-order instances with higher-kinded types. We propose a straightforward generalization of the well-established System $F^\omega$ to implicit parameters, with a uniform treatment of type and term abstractions. Unlike previous works, we give a declarative specification of unambiguous, and thus coherent, resolution without introducing restrictions motivated by an algorithmic formulation of resolution.