Why can't the first parameter list of a class be implicit?

Question

scala> class A(implicit a: Int);
defined class A

scala> class B()(implicit a: Int);
defined class B

scala> new A()(1)
res1: A = A@159d450

scala> new B()(1)
res2: B = B@171f735

scala> new A(1)
<console>:7: error: too many arguments for constructor A: ()(implicit a: Int)A
       new A(1)

Why does Scalac insert an empty parameter list before the implicit parameter list provided in the class declaration?

This seems to be a feature, not a bug, judging by the commentary in the scalac sources:

// convert (implicit ... ) to ()(implicit ... ) if its the only parameter section

I'm curious to know why this is done. I find it rather surprising.

Answer 1

The way I see it is that implicit parameter list does not replace the regular one(s). Since for constructor definitions at least one parameter list is needed, if nothing is indicated explicitly '()' is generated.

While this might be indeed puzzling, it's in line with generating an empty constructor when no parameter lists at all are present.

Answer 2

Okay, with the help of @venechka's answer, I think I've figured it out.

With ordinary classes, Scala infers and empty parameter list, either at the class declaration (class B), or at the point of class instantiation (new A and new B):

scala> class A()
defined class A

scala> new A
res19: A = A@12cdd20

scala> new A()
res20: A = A@1c37b8f

scala> class B
defined class B

scala> new B
res21: B = B@12801c5

scala> new B()
res22: B = B@79a340

So to be in keeping with this principle, it infers an empty parameter list before an implicit parameter list (class D(implicit ...)).

scala> class C()(implicit a: Any = 0)
defined class C

scala> class C()(implicit a: Int = 0)
defined class C

scala> new C
res23: C = C@9d1714

scala> new C()
res24: C = C@b38dba

scala> new C()(0)
res25: C = C@1677979

scala> class D(implicit a: Int = 0)
defined class D

scala> new D
res26: D = D@1a0d111

scala> new D()
res27: D = D@14e3372

scala> new D()(0)
res28: D = D@1609872