sys

create a String from this instance. Unless redefined, `a.as_string` will
create `"instance[T]"` where `T` is the dynamic type of `a`

Get the dynamic type of this instance. For value instances `x`, this is
equal to `type_of x`, but for `x` with a `ref` type `x.dynamic_type` gives
the actual runtime type, while `type_of x` results in the static
compile-time type.

There is no dynamic type of a type instance since this would result in an
endless hierachy of types. So for Type values, dynamic_type is redefined
to just return Type.type.

name of this type, including type parameters, e.g. 'option (list i32)'.

convenience prefix operator to create a string from a value.

This permits usage of `$` as a prefix operator in a similar way both
inside and outside of constant strings: $x and "$x" will produce the
same string.

backend-specific pointer type used, e.g., to refer to the actual data in an
array

This must not be used for anything except assignments to other pointers, no
calls on this value are permitted, not even `p.as_string`, this will lead to
undefined behaviour.

Get a type as a value.

This is a feature with the effect equivalent to Fuzion's `expr.type` call tail.
It is recommended to use `expr.type` and not `expr.type_value`.

`type_value` is here to show how this can be implemented and to illustrate the
difference to `dynamic_type`.