Rust error E0409: variable `y` is bound inconsistently across alternatives separated by `|`

The compiler team's explanation

An "or" pattern was used where the variable bindings are not consistently bound across patterns.

Erroneous code example:

let x = (0, 2);
match x {
    (0, ref y) | (y, 0) => { /* use y */} // error: variable `y` is bound with
                                          //        different mode in pattern #2
                                          //        than in pattern #1
    _ => ()
}

Here, y is bound by-value in one case and by-reference in the other.

To fix this error, just use the same mode in both cases. Generally using ref or ref mut where not already used will fix this:

let x = (0, 2);
match x {
    (0, ref y) | (ref y, 0) => { /* use y */}
    _ => ()
}

Alternatively, split the pattern:

let x = (0, 2);
match x {
    (y, 0) => { /* use y */ }
    (0, ref y) => { /* use y */}
    _ => ()
}

From rustc --explain E0409 (1.99.0), part of the Rust project, MIT or Apache-2.0. Official page.