Should WriterT be in a separate module?

[ceedubs]

Recently WriterT was added to the core module (in the data package). Should it go into a separate module?

Currently StateT lives in a separate state module. Mostly this is because State depends on Free for trampolining. However, as far as I know, having a separate state module hasn't led to any complaints. It makes me wonder if WriterT should also be in a separate module, as it's not essential to "core" Cats functionality. I suspect many people will use Cats without finding themselves reaching for WriterT.

[aryairani]

having a separate state module hasn't led to any complaints.

Do we have a sense of how many people are using the state module?

[ceedubs]

@refried no, I have no idea. I suspect very few.

[dwijnand]

Now that #765 is merged, the state and free modules are now dead, which might be of interest for this issue.

[ceedubs]

@dwijnand good point. If StateT is in core, it probably makes sense for WriterT to be in there too. A PR would be welcome from anyone who is interested in doing this work.

edit - ignore this comment. I forgot that WriterT was already in core when I wrote it...

[lukiano]

will there be a MonadTell / MonadListen for WriterT?

[ceedubs]

@lukiano there probably should be. Feel free to create a separate issue for that if it's something you would use.

[DavidGregory084]

@ceedubs I'm not sure what the objective of this issue is anymore now that there are no separate modules; especially with reference to #785. Should this be closed?

[ceedubs]

@DavidGregory084 ah thanks. I was confused when I wrote https://github.com/non/cats/issues/573#issuecomment-169318605 (see the edit I just added). I'll close this out.