An attempt to create a statically-checked "domain-path" type

dumb-dsl.kt

sealed interface PathTrace<out T> {

    val elements: List<Nodable>
    class Composite(override val elements: List<Nodable>): PathTrace<Nothing>

    open class Empty: PathTrace<Nothing> {
        override val elements: List<Nodable> get() = emptyList()
    }
}

sealed interface Nodable
interface Branch<T>: Nodable
interface Leaf: Nodable

object Root: PathTrace.Empty(), Branch<Root.Component> {
    sealed interface Component: Nodable
}

object Model: Root.Component, Branch<Model.Component> {
    sealed interface Component: Nodable
}
object Run: Root.Component, Branch<Run.Component> {
    sealed interface Component: Nodable
}

// children of Model
object Inputs: Model.Component, Leaf
object Outputs: Model.Component, Leaf
object Simulations: Model.Component, Branch<Simulations.Component> {
    sealed interface Component: Nodable
}

// children of Simulations
data class Proxy(val invocationName: String): Simulations.Component, Branch<Proxy.Component> {
    sealed interface Component: Nodable
}

// children of Proxy
object InputFile: Proxy.Component, Leaf

operator fun <TChild: Nodable, R: TChild> PathTrace<Branch<TChild>>.div(next: R): PathTrace<R> {
    return when(this){
        is PathTrace.Composite -> PathTrace.Composite(elements + next)
        is PathTrace.Empty -> PathTrace.Composite(listOf(next))
    }
}

fun usage(){
    val path = Root / Model / Simulations / Proxy("asdf") / InputFile
    
    
    // some actual uses
    eventingSystem.onHighlightRequest { path -> 
        if(path.elements startsWith Root / Model / Simualtions){
            flourish(myUINodes)
        }
    }

    userClicksGoToSimulationsHyperlink { clickEvent -> 
        eventingSystem.highlightUIFor(Root / Model / Simulations)
    }
}

//i think if im willing to give up my slash syntax, i can do
// Root.Model.Simulations.Proxy("asdf").InputFile
// fairly trivially, with vastly simpler code. :\