It comes from linear logic and that's as far as I know.
It's not great because it can scare away programmers who hear "linear" and think abstract nonsense. But there's not really a better name. "Uniqueness type" or "Single-use type" is too verbose. I'd rather not bikeshed the terminology too much and just use what exists.
It's not great because it can scare away programmers who hear "linear" and think abstract nonsense. But there's not really a better name. "Uniqueness type" or "Single-use type" is too verbose. I'd rather not bikeshed the terminology too much and just use what exists.