2 files changed, 52 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/error_codes/E0801.md b/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/error_codes/E0801.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c89feb9b308
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/error_codes/E0801.md
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+The `self` parameter in a method has an invalid generic "receiver type".
+
+Erroneous code example:
+
+```compile_fail,E0801
+struct Foo;
+
+impl Foo {
+    fn foo<R: std::ops::Deref<Target=Self>>(self: R) {}
+}
+```
+
+or alternatively,
+
+```compile_fail,E0801
+struct Foo;
+
+impl Foo {
+    fn foo(self: impl std::ops::Deref<Target=Self>) {}
+}
+```
+
+Methods take a special first parameter, termed `self`. It's normal to
+use `self`, `&self` or `&mut self`, which are syntactic sugar for
+`self: Self`, `self: &Self`, and `self: &mut Self` respectively.
+But it's also possible to use more sophisticated types of `self`
+parameter, for instance `std::rc::Rc<Self>`. The set of allowable
+`Self` types is extensible using the nightly feature
+[Arbitrary self types][AST].
+This will extend the valid set of `Self` types to anything which implements
+`std::ops::Deref<Target=Self>`, for example `Rc<Self>`, `Box<Self>`, or
+your own smart pointers that do the same.
+
+However, even with that feature, the `self` type must be concrete.
+Generic `self` types are not permitted. Specifically, a `self` type will
+be rejected if it is a type parameter defined on the method.
+
+These are OK:
+
+```
+struct Foo;
+
+impl Foo {
+    fn foo(self) {}
+    fn foo2(self: std::rc::Rc<Self>) {} // or some other similar
+        // smart pointer if you enable arbitrary self types and
+        // the pointer implements Deref<Target=Self>
+}
+```
+
+[AST]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/unstable-book/language-features/arbitrary-self-types.html
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/lib.rs b/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/lib.rs
index 27a34d6003d..29f3277d399 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/lib.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_error_codes/src/lib.rs
@@ -540,6 +540,7 @@ E0797: 0797,
 E0798: 0798,
 E0799: 0799,
 E0800: 0800,
+E0801: 0801,
         );
     )
 }