Metaclass conflict check improvements (#17682)

This PR fixes some points of #14033:
 * Give metaclass errors to their own error code (I chose `metaclass`).
* Document shortcomings of and workarounds for mypy's metaclass
handling.

I didn't attempt to fix that mypy follows the logic for determining the
metaclass as documented whereas it should follow what the interpreter is
actually doing
(#14033 (comment)). I
think such a change is better kept as a separate PR, which is why I
don't want to close the issue with this PR.

Fixes: #14033

---------

Co-authored-by: hauntsaninja <hauntsaninja@gmail.com>

Author: robsdedude

docs/source/error_code_list.rst

@@ -215,6 +215,35 @@ You can use :py:class:`~collections.abc.Callable` as the type for callable objec
         for x in objs:
             f(x)
 
+.. _code-metaclass:
+
+Check the validity of a class's metaclass [metaclass]
+-----------------------------------------------------
+
+Mypy checks whether the metaclass of a class is valid. The metaclass
+must be a subclass of ``type``. Further, the class hierarchy must yield
+a consistent metaclass. For more details, see the
+`Python documentation <https://docs.python.org/3.13/reference/datamodel.html#determining-the-appropriate-metaclass>`_
+
+Note that mypy's metaclass checking is limited and may produce false-positives.
+See also :ref:`limitations`.
+
+Example with an error:
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    class GoodMeta(type):
+        pass
+
+    class BadMeta:
+        pass
+
+    class A1(metaclass=GoodMeta):  # OK
+        pass
+
+    class A2(metaclass=BadMeta):  # Error:  Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported  [metaclass]
+        pass
+
 .. _code-var-annotated:
 
 Require annotation if variable type is unclear [var-annotated]

docs/source/metaclasses.rst

@@ -90,3 +90,28 @@ so it's better not to combine metaclasses and class hierarchies:
 * ``Self`` is not allowed as annotation in metaclasses as per `PEP 673`_.
 
 .. _PEP 673: https://peps.python.org/pep-0673/#valid-locations-for-self
+
+For some builtin types, mypy may think their metaclass is :py:class:`abc.ABCMeta`
+even if it is :py:class:`type` at runtime. In those cases, you can either:
+
+* use :py:class:`abc.ABCMeta` instead of :py:class:`type` as the
+  superclass of your metaclass if that works in your use-case
+* mute the error with ``# type: ignore[metaclass]``
+
+.. code-block:: python
+
+    import abc
+
+    assert type(tuple) is type  # metaclass of tuple is type at runtime
+
+    # The problem:
+    class M0(type): pass
+    class A0(tuple, metaclass=M0): pass  # Mypy Error: metaclass conflict
+
+    # Option 1: use ABCMeta instead of type
+    class M1(abc.ABCMeta): pass
+    class A1(tuple, metaclass=M1): pass
+
+    # Option 2: mute the error
+    class M2(type): pass
+    class A2(tuple, metaclass=M2): pass  # type: ignore[metaclass]

mypy/checker.py

@@ -2959,7 +2959,11 @@ def check_metaclass_compatibility(self, typ: TypeInfo) -> None:
                 "Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be "
                 "a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases",
                 typ,
+                code=codes.METACLASS,
             )
+            explanation = typ.explain_metaclass_conflict()
+            if explanation:
+                self.note(explanation, typ, code=codes.METACLASS)
 
     def visit_import_from(self, node: ImportFrom) -> None:
         for name, _ in node.names:

mypy/errorcodes.py

@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ def __hash__(self) -> int:
     "General",
     default_enabled=False,
 )
+METACLASS: Final[ErrorCode] = ErrorCode("metaclass", "Ensure that metaclass is valid", "General")
 
 # Syntax errors are often blocking.
 SYNTAX: Final[ErrorCode] = ErrorCode("syntax", "Report syntax errors", "General")

mypy/nodes.py

@@ -3402,6 +3402,43 @@ def calculate_metaclass_type(self) -> mypy.types.Instance | None:
 
         return winner
 
+    def explain_metaclass_conflict(self) -> str | None:
+        # Compare to logic in calculate_metaclass_type
+        declared = self.declared_metaclass
+        if declared is not None and not declared.type.has_base("builtins.type"):
+            return None
+        if self._fullname == "builtins.type":
+            return None
+
+        winner = declared
+        if declared is None:
+            resolution_steps = []
+        else:
+            resolution_steps = [f'"{declared.type.fullname}" (metaclass of "{self.fullname}")']
+        for super_class in self.mro[1:]:
+            super_meta = super_class.declared_metaclass
+            if super_meta is None or super_meta.type is None:
+                continue
+            if winner is None:
+                winner = super_meta
+                resolution_steps.append(
+                    f'"{winner.type.fullname}" (metaclass of "{super_class.fullname}")'
+                )
+                continue
+            if winner.type.has_base(super_meta.type.fullname):
+                continue
+            if super_meta.type.has_base(winner.type.fullname):
+                winner = super_meta
+                resolution_steps.append(
+                    f'"{winner.type.fullname}" (metaclass of "{super_class.fullname}")'
+                )
+                continue
+            # metaclass conflict
+            conflict = f'"{super_meta.type.fullname}" (metaclass of "{super_class.fullname}")'
+            return f"{' > '.join(resolution_steps)} conflicts with {conflict}"
+
+        return None
+
     def is_metaclass(self, *, precise: bool = False) -> bool:
         return (
             self.has_base("builtins.type")

mypy/semanal.py

@@ -2702,7 +2702,7 @@ def infer_metaclass_and_bases_from_compat_helpers(self, defn: ClassDef) -> None:
         if len(metas) == 0:
             return
         if len(metas) > 1:
-            self.fail("Multiple metaclass definitions", defn)
+            self.fail("Multiple metaclass definitions", defn, code=codes.METACLASS)
             return
         defn.metaclass = metas.pop()
 
@@ -2758,7 +2758,11 @@ def get_declared_metaclass(
             elif isinstance(metaclass_expr, MemberExpr):
                 metaclass_name = get_member_expr_fullname(metaclass_expr)
             if metaclass_name is None:
-                self.fail(f'Dynamic metaclass not supported for "{name}"', metaclass_expr)
+                self.fail(
+                    f'Dynamic metaclass not supported for "{name}"',
+                    metaclass_expr,
+                    code=codes.METACLASS,
+                )
                 return None, False, True
             sym = self.lookup_qualified(metaclass_name, metaclass_expr)
             if sym is None:
@@ -2769,6 +2773,7 @@ def get_declared_metaclass(
                     self.fail(
                         f'Class cannot use "{sym.node.name}" as a metaclass (has type "Any")',
                         metaclass_expr,
+                        code=codes.METACLASS,
                     )
                 return None, False, True
             if isinstance(sym.node, PlaceholderNode):
@@ -2786,11 +2791,15 @@ def get_declared_metaclass(
                     metaclass_info = target.type
 
             if not isinstance(metaclass_info, TypeInfo) or metaclass_info.tuple_type is not None:
-                self.fail(f'Invalid metaclass "{metaclass_name}"', metaclass_expr)
+                self.fail(
+                    f'Invalid metaclass "{metaclass_name}"', metaclass_expr, code=codes.METACLASS
+                )
                 return None, False, False
             if not metaclass_info.is_metaclass():
                 self.fail(
-                    'Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported', metaclass_expr
+                    'Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported',
+                    metaclass_expr,
+                    code=codes.METACLASS,
                 )
                 return None, False, False
             inst = fill_typevars(metaclass_info)

test-data/unit/check-classes.test

@@ -4757,8 +4757,8 @@ class C(B):
 class X(type): pass
 class Y(type): pass
 class A(metaclass=X): pass
-class B(A, metaclass=Y): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
-
+class B(A, metaclass=Y): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                               # N: "__main__.Y" (metaclass of "__main__.B") conflicts with "__main__.X" (metaclass of "__main__.A")
 [case testMetaclassNoTypeReveal]
 class M:
     x = 0  # type: int
@@ -5737,8 +5737,8 @@ def f() -> type: return M
 class C1(six.with_metaclass(M), object): pass  # E: Unsupported dynamic base class "six.with_metaclass"
 class C2(C1, six.with_metaclass(M)): pass  # E: Unsupported dynamic base class "six.with_metaclass"
 class C3(six.with_metaclass(A)): pass  # E: Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported
-@six.add_metaclass(A)  # E: Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported  \
-    # E: Argument 1 to "add_metaclass" has incompatible type "type[A]"; expected "type[type]"
+@six.add_metaclass(A)  # E: Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported \
+                       # E: Argument 1 to "add_metaclass" has incompatible type "type[A]"; expected "type[type]"
 
 class D3(A): pass
 class C4(six.with_metaclass(M), metaclass=M): pass  # E: Multiple metaclass definitions
@@ -5754,8 +5754,10 @@ class CD(six.with_metaclass(M)): pass  # E: Multiple metaclass definitions
 class M1(type): pass
 class Q1(metaclass=M1): pass
 @six.add_metaclass(M)
-class CQA(Q1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
-class CQW(six.with_metaclass(M, Q1)): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class CQA(Q1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                     # N: "__main__.M" (metaclass of "__main__.CQA") conflicts with "__main__.M1" (metaclass of "__main__.Q1")
+class CQW(six.with_metaclass(M, Q1)): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                            # N: "__main__.M" (metaclass of "__main__.CQW") conflicts with "__main__.M1" (metaclass of "__main__.Q1")
 [builtins fixtures/tuple.pyi]
 
 [case testSixMetaclassAny]
@@ -5873,7 +5875,8 @@ class C5(future.utils.with_metaclass(f())): pass  # E: Dynamic metaclass not sup
 
 class M1(type): pass
 class Q1(metaclass=M1): pass
-class CQW(future.utils.with_metaclass(M, Q1)): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class CQW(future.utils.with_metaclass(M, Q1)): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                                     # N: "__main__.M" (metaclass of "__main__.CQW") conflicts with "__main__.M1" (metaclass of "__main__.Q1")
 [builtins fixtures/tuple.pyi]
 
 [case testFutureMetaclassAny]
@@ -7342,17 +7345,22 @@ class ChildOfCorrectSubclass1(CorrectSubclass1): ...
 class CorrectWithType1(C, A1): ...
 class CorrectWithType2(B, C): ...
 
-class Conflict1(A1, B, E): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
-class Conflict2(A, B): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
-class Conflict3(B, A): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class Conflict1(A1, B, E): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                # N: "__main__.MyMeta1" (metaclass of "__main__.A") conflicts with "__main__.MyMeta2" (metaclass of "__main__.B")
+class Conflict2(A, B): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                            # N: "__main__.MyMeta1" (metaclass of "__main__.A") conflicts with "__main__.MyMeta2" (metaclass of "__main__.B")
+class Conflict3(B, A): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                            # N: "__main__.MyMeta2" (metaclass of "__main__.B") conflicts with "__main__.MyMeta1" (metaclass of "__main__.A")
 
 class ChildOfConflict1(Conflict3): ...
 class ChildOfConflict2(Conflict3, metaclass=CorrectMeta): ...
 
 class ConflictingMeta(MyMeta1, MyMeta3): ...
-class Conflict4(A1, B, E, metaclass=ConflictingMeta): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class Conflict4(A1, B, E, metaclass=ConflictingMeta): ...  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                                           # N: "__main__.ConflictingMeta" (metaclass of "__main__.Conflict4") conflicts with "__main__.MyMeta2" (metaclass of "__main__.B")
 
-class ChildOfCorrectButWrongMeta(CorrectSubclass1, metaclass=ConflictingMeta):  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class ChildOfCorrectButWrongMeta(CorrectSubclass1, metaclass=ConflictingMeta):  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                                                                # N: "__main__.ConflictingMeta" (metaclass of "__main__.ChildOfCorrectButWrongMeta") conflicts with "__main__.CorrectMeta" (metaclass of "__main__.CorrectSubclass1")
     ...
 
 [case testMetaClassConflictIssue14033]
@@ -7367,8 +7375,10 @@ class B1(metaclass=M2): pass
 
 class C1(metaclass=Mx): pass
 
-class TestABC(A2, B1, C1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
-class TestBAC(B1, A2, C1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+class TestABC(A2, B1, C1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                 # N: "__main__.M1" (metaclass of "__main__.A1") conflicts with "__main__.M2" (metaclass of "__main__.B1")
+class TestBAC(B1, A2, C1): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases \
+                                 # N: "__main__.M2" (metaclass of "__main__.B1") conflicts with "__main__.M1" (metaclass of "__main__.A1")
 
 # should not warn again for children
 class ChildOfTestABC(TestABC): pass

test-data/unit/check-errorcodes.test

@@ -1239,6 +1239,47 @@ def f(x: str) -> TypeIs[int]:  # E: Narrowed type "int" is not a subtype of inpu
 
 [builtins fixtures/tuple.pyi]
 
+[case testDynamicMetaclass]
+class A(metaclass=type(tuple)): pass  # E: Dynamic metaclass not supported for "A"  [metaclass]
+[builtins fixtures/tuple.pyi]
+
+[case testMetaclassOfTypeAny]
+# mypy: disallow-subclassing-any=True
+from typing import Any
+foo: Any = ...
+class A(metaclass=foo): pass  # E: Class cannot use "foo" as a metaclass (has type "Any")  [metaclass]
+
+[case testMetaclassOfWrongType]
+class Foo:
+    bar = 1
+class A2(metaclass=Foo.bar): pass  # E: Invalid metaclass "Foo.bar"  [metaclass]
+
+[case testMetaclassNotTypeSubclass]
+class M: pass
+class A(metaclass=M): pass  # E: Metaclasses not inheriting from "type" are not supported  [metaclass]
+
+[case testMultipleMetaclasses]
+import six
+class M1(type): pass
+
+@six.add_metaclass(M1)
+class A1(metaclass=M1): pass  # E: Multiple metaclass definitions  [metaclass]
+
+class A2(six.with_metaclass(M1), metaclass=M1): pass  # E: Multiple metaclass definitions  [metaclass]
+
+@six.add_metaclass(M1)
+class A3(six.with_metaclass(M1)): pass  # E: Multiple metaclass definitions  [metaclass]
+[builtins fixtures/tuple.pyi]
+
+[case testInvalidMetaclassStructure]
+class X(type): pass
+class Y(type): pass
+class A(metaclass=X): pass
+class B(A, metaclass=Y): pass  # E: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases  [metaclass] \
+                               # N: "__main__.Y" (metaclass of "__main__.B") conflicts with "__main__.X" (metaclass of "__main__.A")
+
+
+
 
 [case testOverloadedFunctionSignature]
 from typing import overload, Union

test-data/unit/fine-grained.test

@@ -2936,10 +2936,12 @@ a.py:6: error: Argument 1 to "f" has incompatible type "type[B]"; expected "M"
 
 [case testFineMetaclassRecalculation]
 import a
+
 [file a.py]
 from b import B
 class M2(type): pass
 class D(B, metaclass=M2): pass
+
 [file b.py]
 import c
 class B: pass
@@ -2949,27 +2951,31 @@ import c
 class B(metaclass=c.M): pass
 
 [file c.py]
-class M(type):
-    pass
+class M(type): pass
 [out]
 ==
 a.py:3: error: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+a.py:3: note: "a.M2" (metaclass of "a.D") conflicts with "c.M" (metaclass of "b.B")
 
 [case testFineMetaclassDeclaredUpdate]
 import a
+
 [file a.py]
 import b
 class B(metaclass=b.M): pass
 class D(B, metaclass=b.M2): pass
+
 [file b.py]
 class M(type): pass
 class M2(M): pass
+
 [file b.py.2]
 class M(type): pass
 class M2(type): pass
 [out]
 ==
 a.py:3: error: Metaclass conflict: the metaclass of a derived class must be a (non-strict) subclass of the metaclasses of all its bases
+a.py:3: note: "b.M2" (metaclass of "a.D") conflicts with "b.M" (metaclass of "a.B")
 
 [case testFineMetaclassRemoveFromClass]
 import a