How pattern maching works in for loop vars binding

1 
fn first_word(s: &String) -> usize {
    let mut x = s.as_bytes();

    for (i, &item) in x.iter().enumerate() {
        //  item = 4;
        if item == b' ' {
            return i;
        }
    }

    s.len()
}

fn main() {}

(Playground)


In above code why &item?
2

The type that the iterator returns is (usize, &u8), so the pattern means i is usize and item is a u8. Note how the & line up, so the binding of item "sees through" the reference, if you will.

This is how pattern bindings work generally, not something for loop specific.

3 Likes
3

I like this metaphor. but it seems that ref/ref mut is an exception , which does not match anything. it behaves more like an action : turn whatever type of the target into a borrow/mutable borrow.

4

https://h2co3.github.io/pattern/

5

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