| Document number: | J16/06-0068 = WG21 N1998 |
| Date: | 2006-04-22 |
| Project: | Programming Language C++ |
| Reference: | ISO/IEC IS 14882:2003 |
| Reply to: | William M. Miller |
| Edison Design Group, Inc. | |
| wmm@edg.com |
This document contains the C++ core language issues that have been categorized as Defect Reports by the Committee (J16 + WG21), that is, issues with status "DR," "WP," and "TC1," along with their proposed resolutions. ONLY RESOLUTIONS FOR ISSUES WITH TC1 STATUS ARE PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR C++. The other issues are provided for informational purposes only, as an indication of the intent of the Committee. They should not be considered definitive until or unless they appear in an approved Technical Corrigendum or revised International Standard for C++.
This document is part of a group of related documents that together describe the issues that have been raised regarding the C++ Standard. The other documents in the group are:
For more information, including a description of the meaning of the issue status codes and instructions on reporting new issues, please see the Active Issues List.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
The standard uses “most derived object” in some places (for example, 1.3.3 defns.dynamic.type, 5.3.5 expr.delete) to refer to objects of both class and non-class type. However, 1.8 intro.object only formally defines it for objects of class type.
Possible fix: Change the wording in 1.8 intro.object paragraph 4 from
an object of a most derived class type is called a most derived object
to
an object of a most derived class type, or of non-class type, is called a most derived object
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Add the indicated words to 1.8 intro.object paragraph 4:
If a complete object, a data member (9.2 class.mem), or an array element is of class type, its type is considered the most derived class, to distinguish it from the class type of any base class subobject; an object of a most derived class type, or of a non-class type, is called a most derived object.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
The C standard says in 6.3.2.3, paragraph 4:
Conversion of a null pointer to another pointer type yields a null pointer of that type. Any two null pointers shall compare equal.
C++ appears to be incompatible with the first sentence in only two areas:
A *a = 0;
void *v = a;
C++ (4.10 conv.ptr paragraph 2) says nothing about the value of v.
void *v = 0;
A *b = (A*)v; // aka static_cast<A*>(v)
C++ (5.2.9 expr.static.cast paragraph 10) says nothing about the value of b.
Suggested changes:
Add the following sentence to 4.10 conv.ptr paragraph 2:
The null pointer value is converted to the null pointer value of the destination type.
Add the following sentence to 5.2.9 expr.static.cast paragraph 10:
The null pointer value (4.10 conv.ptr) is converted to the null pointer value of the destination type.
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Add the indicated words to 4.10 conv.ptr paragraph 2:
An rvalue of type “pointer to cv T,” where T is an object type, can be converted to an rvalue of type “pointer to cv void”. The result of converting a “pointer to cv T” to a “pointer to cv void” points to the start of the storage location where the object of type T resides, as if the object is a most derived object (1.8 intro.object) of type T (that is, not a base class subobject). The null pointer value is converted to the null pointer value of the destination type.
Add the indicated words to 5.2.9 expr.static.cast paragraph 11:
An rvalue of type “pointer to cv1 void” can be converted to an rvalue of type “pointer to cv2 T,” where T is an object type and cv2 is the same cv-qualification as, or greater cv-qualification than, cv1. The null pointer value is converted to the null pointer value of the destination type. A value of type pointer to object converted to “pointer to cv void” and back, possibly with different cv-qualification, shall have its original value...
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
5.2.4 expr.pseudo paragraph 2 says both:
The type designated by the pseudo-destructor-name shall be the same as the object type.and also:
The cv-unqualified versions of the object type and of the type designated by the pseudo-destructor-name shall be the same type.Which is it? "The same" or "the same up to cv-qualifiers"? The second sentence is more generous than the first. Most compilers seem to implement the less restrictive form, so I guess that's what I think we should do.
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Change 5.2.4 expr.pseudo paragraph 2 as follows:
The left-hand side of the dot operator shall be of scalar type. The left-hand side of the arrow operator shall be of pointer to scalar type. This scalar type is the object type.The type designated by the pseudo-destructor-name shall be the same as the object type.The cv-unqualified versions of the object type and of the type designated by the pseudo-destructor-name shall be the same type. Furthermore, the two type-names in a pseudo-destructor-name of the form::opt nested-name-specifieropt type-name ::~ type-name
shall designate the same scalar type.The cv-unqualified versions of the object type and of the type designated by the pseudo-destructor-name shall be the same type.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
There is an inconsistency between the normative text in section 5.2.8 expr.typeid and the example that follows.
Here is the relevant passage (starting with paragraph 4):
When typeid is applied to a type-id, the result refers to a std::type_info object representing the type of the type-id. If the type of the type-id is a reference type, the result of the typeid expression refers to a std::type_info object representing the referenced type.
The top-level cv-qualifiers of the lvalue expression or the type-id that is the operand of typeid are always ignored.
and the example:
typeid(D) == typeid(const D&); // yields true
The second paragraph above says the “type-id that is the operand”. This would be const D&. In this case, the const is not at the top-level (i.e., applied to the operand itself).
By a strict reading, the above should yield false.
My proposal is that the strict reading of the normative test is correct. The example is wrong. Different compilers here give different answers.
Proposed resolution (April, 2005):
Change the second sentence of 5.2.8 expr.typeid paragraph 4 as follows:
If the type of the type-id is a reference to a possibly cv-qualified type, the result of the typeid expression refers to a std::type_info object representing the cv-unqualified referenced type.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
Is reinterpret_cast<T*>(null_pointer_constant) guaranteed to yield the null pointer value of type T*?
I think a committee clarification is needed. Here's why: 5.2.10 expr.reinterpret.cast par. 8 talks of "null pointer value", not "null pointer constant", so it would seem that
reinterpret_cast<T*>(0)is a normal int->T* conversion, with an implementation-defined result.
However a little note to 5.2.10 expr.reinterpret.cast par. 5 says:
Converting an integral constant expression (5.19) with value zero always yields a null pointer (4.10), but converting other expressions that happen to have value zero need not yield a null pointer.Where is this supported in normative text? It seems that either the footnote or paragraph 8 doesn't reflect the intent.
SUGGESTED RESOLUTION: I think it would be better to drop the footnote #64 (and thus the special case for ICEs), for two reasons:
a) it's not normative anyway; so I doubt anyone is relying on the guarantee it hints at, unless that guarantee is given elsewhere in a normative part
b) users expect reinterpret_casts to be almost always implementation dependent, so this special case is a surprise. After all, if one wants a null pointer there's static_cast. And if one wants reinterpret_cast semantics the special case requires doing some explicit cheat, such as using a non-const variable as intermediary:
int v = 0; reinterpret_cast<T*>(v); // implementation defined reinterpret_cast<T*>(0); // null pointer value of type T* const int w = 0; reinterpret_cast<T*>(w); // null pointer value of type T*
It seems that not only that's providing a duplicate functionality, but also at the cost to hide what seems the more natural one.
Notes from October 2004 meeting:
This footnote was added in 1996, after the invention of reinterpret_cast, so the presumption must be that it was intentional. At this time, however, the CWG feels that there is no reason to require that reinterpret_cast<T*>(0) produce a null pointer value as its result.
Proposed resolution (April, 2005):
Delete the footnote in 5.2.10 expr.reinterpret.cast paragraph 5 reading,
Converting an integral constant expression (5.19 expr.const) with value zero always yields a null pointer (4.10 conv.ptr), but converting other expressions that happen to have value zero need not yield a null pointer.
Add the indicated note to 5.2.10 expr.reinterpret.cast paragraph 8:
The null pointer value (4.10 conv.ptr) is converted to the null pointer value of the destination type. [Note: A null pointer constant, which has integral type, is not necessarily converted to a null pointer value. —end note]
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
The C language (since C99), and some C++ compilers, accept:
enum { FOO, };
as syntactically valid. It would be useful
for machine generated code
for minimising changes when editing
to allow a distinction between the final item being intended as an ordinary item or as a limit:
enum { red, green, blue, num_colours }; // note no comma
enum { fred, jim, sheila, }; // last is not special
This proposed change is to permit a trailing comma in enum by adding:
enum identifieropt { enumerator-list , }
as an alternative definition for the enum-specifier nonterminal
in
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Change the grammar in 7.2 dcl.enum paragraph 1 as indicated:
enum-specifier:enum identifieropt { enumerator-listopt }
enum identifieropt { enumerator-list , }
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
In 12.2 class.temporary paragraph 5, should binding a reference to the result of a "?" operation, each of whose branches is a temporary, extend both temporaries?
Here's an example:
const SFileName &C = noDir ? SFileName("abc") : SFileName("bcd");
Do the temporaries created by the SFileName conversions survive the end of the full expression?
Notes from 10/00 meeting:
Other problematic examples include cases where the temporary from one branch is a base class of the temporary from the other (i.e., where the implementation must remember which type of temporary must be destroyed), or where one branch is a temporary and the other is not. Similar questions also apply to the comma operator. The sense of the core language working group was that implementations should be required to support these kinds of code.
Notes from the March 2004 meeting:
We decided that the cleanest model is one in which any "?" operation that returns a class rvalue always copies one of its operands to a temporary and returns the temporary as the result of the operation. (Note that this may involve slicing.) An implementation would be free to optimize this using the rules in 12.8 class.copy paragraph 15, and in fact we would expect that in many cases compilers would do such optimizations. For example, the compiler could construct both rvalues in the above example into a single temporary, and thus avoid a copy.
See also issue 446.
Proposed resolution (October, 2004):
This issue is resolved by the resolutions of issue 446.
Note (October, 2005):
This issue was overlooked when issue 446 was moved to “ready” status and was thus inadvertently omitted from the list of issues accepted as Defect Reports at the October, 2005 meeting.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
Section 12.2 class.temporary paragraph 5 ends with this "rule":
For the temporary to be destroyed after obj2 is destroyed, when obj2 has static storage, I would say that the reference to the temporary should also have static storage, but that is IMHO not clear from the paragraph.
Example:
void f ()
{
const T1& ref = T1();
static T2 obj2;
...
}
Here the temporary would be destoyed before obj2, contrary to the rule above.
Steve Adamczyk: I agree there's a minor issue here. I think the clause quoted above meant for obj1 and obj2 to have the same storage duration. Replacing "obj2 is an object with static or automatic storage duration" by "obj2 is an object with the same storage duration as obj1" would, I believe, fix the problem.
Notes from October 2004 meeting:
We agreed with Steve Adamczyk's suggestion.
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Change 12.2 class.temporary paragraph 5 as follows:
... In addition, the destruction of temporaries bound to references shall take into account the ordering of destruction of objects with static or automatic storage duration (3.7.1 basic.stc.static, 3.7.2 basic.stc.auto); that is, if obj1 is an objectwith static or automatic storage durationcreated before the temporary is created with the same storage duration as the temporary, the temporary shall be destroyed before obj1 is destroyed; if obj2 is an objectwith static or automatic storage durationcreated after the temporary is created with the same storage duration as the temporary, the temporary shall be destroyed after obj2 is destroyed...
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
8.5 dcl.init paragraph 10 makes it clear that non-static POD class objects with no initializer are left uninitialized and have an indeterminate initial value:
If no initializer is specified for an object, and the object is of (possibly cv-qualified) non-POD class type (or array thereof), the object shall be default-initialized; if the object is of const-qualified type, the underlying class type shall have a user-declared default constructor. Otherwise, if no initializer is specified for a non-static object, the object and its subobjects, if any, have an indeterminate initial value; if the object or any of its subobjects are of const-qualified type, the program is ill-formed.
12.6 class.init paragraph 1, however, implies that all class objects without initializers, whether POD or not, are default-initialized:
When no initializer is specified for an object of (possibly cv-qualified) class type (or array thereof), or the initializer has the form (), the object is initialized as specified in 8.5 dcl.init. The object is default-initialized if there is no initializer, or value-initialized if the initializer is ().
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Remove the indicated words from 12.6 class.init paragraph 1:
When no initializer is specified for an object of (possibly cv-qualified) class type (or array thereof), or the initializer has the form (), the object is initialized as specified in 8.5 dcl.init.The object is default-initialized if there is no initializer, or value-initialized if the initializer is ().
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
Lets start with the proposed solution. In 13.5.6 over.ref, replace line ...
postfix-expression -> id-expression.... with the lines ...
postfix-expression -> templateopt id-expression(This then is a copy of the two lines in 5.2 expr.post covering "->dtor")
postfix-expression -> pseudo-destructor-name
Alternatively remove the sentence "It implements class member access using ->" and the syntax line following.
Reasons:
Currently stdc++ is inconsistent when handling expressions of the form "postfixexpression->scalar_type_dtor()": If "postfixexpression" is a pointer to the scalar type, it is OK, but if "postfixexpression" refers to any smart pointer class (e.g. iterator or allocator::pointer) with class specific CLASS::operator->() returning pointer to the scalar type, then it is ill-formed; so while c++98 does allow CLASS::operator->() returning pointer to scalar type, c++98 prohibits any '->'-expression involving this overloaded operator function.
Not only is this behaviour inconsistent, but also when comparing the corresponding chapters of c++pl2 and stdc++98 it looks like an oversight and unintended result. Mapping between stdc++98 and c++pl2:
c++pl2.r.5.2 -> 5.2 [expr.post]For the single line of c++pl2.r.5.2 covering "->dtor", 5.2 [expr.post] has two lines. Analogously c++pl2.r.5.2.4 has been doubled to 5.2.4 [expr.pseudo] and 5.2.5 [expr.ref]. From 13.5.6 [over.ref], the sentence forbiding CLASS::operator->() returning pointer to scalar type has been removed. Only the single line of c++pl2.r.13.4.6 (<-> c++pl2.r.5.2's single line) has not gotten its 2nd line when converted into 13.5.6 [over.ref].
c++pl2.r.5.2.4 -> 5.2.4 [expr.pseudo] + 5.2.5 [expr.ref]
c++pl2.r.13.4 -> 13.3.1.2 [over.match.oper]
c++pl2.r.13.4.6 -> 13.5.6 [over.ref]
Additionally GCC32 does is right (but against 13.5.6 [over.ref]).
AFAICS this would not break old code except compilers like VC7x and Comeau4301.
It does not add new functionality, cause any expression class_type->scalar_type_dtor() even today can be substituted through (*class_type).scalar_type_dtor().
Without this fix, template functions like some_allocator<T>::destroy(p) must use "(*p).~T()" or "(*p).T::~T()" when calling the destructor, otherwise the simpler versions "p->~T()" or "p->T::~T()" could be used.
Sample code, compiled with GCC32, VC7[1] and Comeau4301:
struct A {};//any class
template <class T>
struct PTR
{
T& operator* () const;
T* operator-> () const;
};
template <class T>
void f ()
{
{
T* p ;
p = new T ;
(*p).T::~T() ;//OK
p = new T ;
(*p).~T() ;//OK
p = new T ;
p->T::~T() ;//OK
p = new T ;
p->~T() ;//OK
}
{
PTR<T> p = PTR<T>() ;
(*p).T::~T() ;//OK
(*p).~T() ;//OK
p.operator->() ;//OK !!!
p->T::~T() ;//GCC32: OK; VC7x,Com4301: OK for A; ERROR w/ int
p->~T() ;//GCC32: OK; VC7x,Com4301: OK for A; ERROR w/ int
}
}
void test ()
{
f <A> ();
f <int>();
}
Proposed resolution (April, 2005):
Change 13.5.6 over.ref paragraph 1 as indicated:
operator-> shall be a non-static member function taking no parameters. It implements the class member access
usingsyntax that uses ->postfix-expression -> templateopt id-expression
postfix-expression -> pseudo-destructor-nameAn expression x->m is interpreted as (x.operator->())->m for a class object x of type T if T::operator->() exists and if the operator is selected as the best match function by the overload resolution mechanism (13.3 over.match).
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
Part of the resolution for issue 224 was the addition of the phrase “but does not refer to a member of the current instantiation” to 14.6 temp.res paragraph 3. When the resolution of issue 382 was added to the current working draft, however, that phrase was inadvertently removed. Equivalent phrasing should be restored.
Proposed resolution (April, 2006):
Replace the first sentence of 14.6 temp.res paragraph 3 with the following text:
When a qualified-id is intended to refer to a type that is not a member of the current instantiation (14.6.2.1 temp.dep.type) and its nested-name-specifier depends on a template-parameter (14.6.2 temp.dep), it shall be prefixed by the keyword typename, forming a typename-specifier.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
The example in 14.7.1 temp.inst paragraph 4 has a typographical error: the third parameter of function g should be D<double>* ppp, but it is missing the *:
template <class T> class B { /* ... */ };
template <class T> class D : public B<T> { /* ... */ };
void f(void*);
void f(B<int >*);
void g(D<int>* p, D<char>* pp, D<double> ppp)
{
f(p); // instantiation of D<int> required: call f(B<int>*)
B<char>* q = pp; // instantiation of D<char> required:
// convert D<char>* to B<char>*
delete ppp; // instantiation of D<double> required
}
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
As suggested.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
According to 14.8.2 temp.deduct paragraph 2,
If a substitution in a template parameter or in the function type of the function template results in an invalid type, type deduction fails.
That would seem to apply to cases like the following:
template <class T> T f(T&){}
void f(const int*){}
int main() {
int a[5];
f(a);
}
Here, the return type of f is deduced as int[5], which is invalid according to 8.3.5 dcl.fct paragraph 6. The outcome of this example, then, should presumably be that type deduction fails and overload resolution selects the non-template function. However, the list of reasons in 14.8.2 temp.deduct for which type deduction can fail does not include function and array types as a function return type. Those cases should be added to the list.
Proposed resolution (October, 2005):
Change the last sub-bullet of 14.8.2 temp.deduct paragraph 2 as indicated:
Attempting to create a function type in which a parameter has a type of void, or in which the return type is a function type or array type.
[Voted into WP at April, 2006 meeting.]
I have noticed a couple of confusing and overlapping passages dealing with copy elision. The first is 15.1 except.throw paragraph 5:
If the use of the temporary object can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the program except for the execution of constructors and destructors associated with the use of the temporary object (12.2 class.temporary), then the exception in the handler can be initialized directly with the argument of the throw expression.
The other is 15.3 except.handle paragraph 17:
If the use of a temporary object can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the program except for execution of constructors and destructors associated with the use of the temporary object, then the optional name can be bound directly to the temporary object specified in a throw-expression causing the handler to be executed.
I think these two passages are intended to describe the same optimization. However, as is often the case where something is described twice, there are significant differences. One is just different terminology — is “the exception in the handler” the same as “the object declared in the exception-declaration or, if the exception-declaration does not specify a name, a temporary object of that type” (15.3 except.handle paragraph 16)?
More significant, there is a difference in which kinds of throw-expressions are eligible for the optimization. In 15.1 except.throw paragraph 5, it appears that any object is a candidate, while in 15.3 except.handle paragraph 17 the thrown object must be a temporary (“the temporary object specified in a throw-expression”). For example, it's not clear looking at these two passages whether the copy of a local automatic can be elided. I.e., by analogy with the return value optimization described in 12.8 class.copy paragraph 15:
X x;
return x; // copy may be elided
X x;
throw x; // unclear whether copy may be elided
Which brings up another point: 12.8 class.copy paragraph 15 purports to be an exhaustive list in which copy elision is permitted even if the constructor and/or destructor have side effects; however, these two passages describe another case that is not mentioned in 12.8 class.copy paragraph 15.
A final point of confusion: in the unoptimized abstract machine, there are actually two copies in throwing and handling an exception: the copy from the object being thrown to the exception object, and the copy from the exception object to the object or temporary in the exception-declaration. 15.1 except.throw paragraph 5 speaks only of eliminating the exception object, copying the thrown object directly into the exception-declaration object, while 15.3 except.handle paragraph 17 refers to directly binding the exception-declaration object to the thrown object (if it's a temporary). Shouldn't these be separated, with a throw of an automatic object or temporary being like the return value optimization and the initialization of the object/temporary in the exception-declaration being a separate optimizable step (which could, presumably, be combined to effectively alias the exception-declaration onto the thrown object)?
(See paper J16/04-0165 = WG21 N1725.)
Proposed resolution (April, 2005):
Add two items to the bulleted list in 12.8 class.copy paragraph 15 as follows:
This elision of copy operations is permitted in the following circumstances (which may be combined to eliminate multiple copies):
in a return statement in a function with a class return type, when the expression is the name of a non-volatile automatic object with the same cv-unqualified type as the function return type, the copy operation can be omitted by constructing the automatic object directly into the function’s return value
in a throw-expression, when the operand is the name of a non-volatile automatic object, the copy operation from the operand to the exception object (15.1 except.throw) can be omitted by constructing the automatic object directly into the exception object
when a temporary class object that has not been bound to a reference (12.2 class.temporary) would be copied to a class object with the same cv-unqualified type, the copy operation can be omitted by constructing the temporary object directly into the target of the omitted copy
when the exception-declaration of an exception handler (clause 15 except) declares an object of the same type (except for cv-qualification) as the exception object (15.1 except.throw), the copy operation can be omitted by treating the exception-declaration as an alias for the exception object if the meaning of the program will be unchanged except for the execution of constructors and destructors for the object declared by the exception-declaration
Change 15.1 except.throw paragraph 5 as follows:
If the use of the temporary object can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the program except for the execution of constructors and destructors associated with the use of the temporary object (12.2 class.temporary), then the exception in the handler can be initialized directly with the argument of the throw expression.When the thrown object is a class object,andthe copy constructorused to initialize the temporary copy is notand the destructor shall be accessible,the program is ill-formed (even when the temporary object could otherwise be eliminated)even if the copy operation is elided (12.8 class.copy).Similarly, if the destructor for that object is not accessible, the program is ill-formed (even when the temporary object could otherwise be eliminated).
Change 15.3 except.handle paragraph 17 as follows:
If the use of a temporary object can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the program except for execution of constructors and destructors associated with the use of the temporary object, then the optional name can be bound directly to the temporary object specified in a throw-expression causing the handler to be executed.The copy constructor and destructor associated with the object shall be accessible evenwhen the temporary object is eliminatedif the copy operation is elided (12.8 class.copy).
[Voted into WP at March 2004 meeting.]
Should this program do what its author obviously expects? As far as I can tell, the standard says that the point of instantiation for Fib<n-1>::Value is the same as the point of instantiation as the enclosing specialization, i.e., Fib<n>::Value. What in the standard actually says that these things get initialized in the right order?
template<int n>
struct Fib { static int Value; };
template <>
int Fib<0>::Value = 0;
template <>
int Fib<1>::Value = 1;
template<int n>
int Fib<n>::Value = Fib<n-1>::Value + Fib<n-2>::Value;
int f ()
{
return Fib<40>::Value;
}
John Spicer: My opinion is that the standard does not specify the behavior of this program. I thought there was a core issue related to this, but I could not find it. The issue that I recall proposed tightening up the static initialization rules to make more cases well defined.
Your comment about point of instantiation is correct, but I don't think that really matters. What matters is the order of execution of the initialization code at execution time. Instantiations don't really live in "translation units" according to the standard. They live in "instantiation units", and the handling of instantiation units in initialization is unspecified (which should probably be another core issue). See 2.1 lex.phases paragraph 8.
Notes from October 2002 meeting:
We discussed this and agreed that we really do mean the the order is unspecified. John Spicer will propose wording on handling of instantiation units in initialization.
Proposed resolution (April 2003):
TC1 contains the following text in 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1:
Objects with static storage duration defined in namespace scope in the same translation unit and dynamically initialized shall be initialized in the order in which their definition appears in the translation unit.
This was revised by issue 270 to read:
Dynamic initialization of an object is either ordered or unordered. Explicit specializations and definitions of class template static data members have ordered initialization. Other class template static data member instances have unordered initialization. Other objects defined in namespace scope have ordered initialization. Objects defined within a single translation unit and with ordered initialization shall be initialized in the order of their definitions in the translation unit. The order of initialization is unspecified for objects with unordered initialization and for objects defined in different translation units.
This addresses this issue but while reviewing this issue some additional changes were suggested for the above wording:
Dynamic initialization of an object is either ordered or unordered. Definitions of explicitly specializedExplicit specializations and definitions ofclass template static data members have ordered initialization. Other class template static data members (i.e., implicitly or explicitly instantiated specializations)instanceshave unordered initialization. Other objects defined in namespace scope have ordered initialization. Objects defined within a single translation unit and with ordered initialization shall be initialized in the order of their definitions in the translation unit. The order of initialization is unspecified for objects with unordered initialization and for objects defined in different translation units.
[Moved to DR at October 2002 meeting.]
3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 2 says that a deallocation function is "used" by a new-expression or delete-expression appearing in a potentially-evaluated expression. 3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 3 requires only that "used" functions be defined.
This wording runs afoul of the typical implementation technique for polymorphic delete-expressions in which the deallocation function is invoked from the virtual destructor of the most-derived class. The problem is that the destructor must be defined, because it's virtual, and if it contains an implicit reference to the deallocation function, the deallocation function must also be defined, even if there are no relevant new-expressions or delete-expressions in the program.
For example:
struct B { virtual ~B() { } };
struct D: B {
void operator delete(void*);
~D() { }
};
Is it required that D::operator delete(void*) be defined, even if no B or D objects are ever created or deleted?
Suggested resolution: Add the words "or if it is found by the lookup at the point of definition of a virtual destructor (12.4 class.dtor)" to the specification in 3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 2.
Notes from 04/01 meeting:
The consensus was in favor of requiring that any declared non-placement operator delete member function be defined if the destructor for the class is defined (whether virtual or not), and similarly for a non-placement operator new if a constructor is defined.
Proposed resolution (10/01):
In 3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 2, add the indicated text:
An allocation or deallocation function for a class is used by a new expression appearing in a potentially-evaluated expression as specified in 5.3.4 expr.new and 12.5 class.free. A deallocation function for a class is used by a delete expression appearing in a potentially-evaluated expression as specified in 5.3.5 expr.delete and 12.5 class.free. A non-placement allocation or deallocation function for a class is used by the definition of a constructor of that class. A non-placement deallocation function for a class is used by the definition of the destructor of that class, or by being selected by the lookup at the point of definition of a virtual destructor (12.4 class.dtor). [Footnote: An implementation is not required to call allocation and deallocation functions from constructors or destructors; however, this is a permissible implementation technique.]
[Moved to DR at October 2002 meeting.]
3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 4 has a note listing the contexts that require a class type to be complete. It does not list use as a base class as being one of those contexts.
Proposed resolution (10/01):
In 3.2 basic.def.odr paragraph 4 add a new bullet at the end of the note as the next-to-last bullet:
[Voted into WP at March 2004 meeting.]
Consider the following translation unit:
template<class T> struct S {
void f(union U*); // (1)
};
template<class T> void S<T>::f(union U*) {} // (2)
U *p; // (3)
Does (1) introduce U as a visible name in the surrounding namespace scope?
If not, then (2) could presumably be an error since the "union U" in that definition does not find the same type as the declaration (1).
If yes, then (3) is OK too. However, we have gone through much trouble to allow template implementations that do not pre-parse the template definitions, but requiring (1) to be visible would change that.
A slightly different case is the following:
template<typename> void f() { union U *p; }
U *q; // Should this be valid?
Notes from October 2003 meeting:
There was consensus that example 1 should be allowed. (Compilers already parse declarations in templates; even MSVC++ 6.0 accepts this case.) The vote was 7-2.
Example 2, on the other hand, is wrong; the union name goes into a block scope anyway.
Proposed resolution:
In 3.3.1 basic.scope.pdecl change the second bullet of paragraph 5 as follows:
for an elaborated-type-specifier of the formclass-key identifierif the elaborated-type-specifier is used in the decl-specifier-seq or parameter-declaration-clause of a function defined in namespace scope, the identifier is declared as a class-name in the namespace that contains the declaration; otherwise, except as a friend declaration, the identifier is declared in the smallest non-class, non-function-prototype scope that contains the declaration. [Note: These rules also apply within templates.] [Note: ...]
[Voted into WP at March 2004 meeting.]
Consider the following example (inspired by a question from comp.lang.c++.moderated):
template<typename> struct B {};
template<typename T> struct D: B<D> {};
Most (all?) compilers reject this code because D is handled as a template name rather than as the injected class name.
9 class/2 says that the injected class name is "inserted into the scope of the class."
3.3.6 basic.scope.class/1 seems to be the text intended to describe what "scope of a class" means, but it assumes that every name in that scope was introduced using a "declarator". For an implicit declaration such as the injected-class name it is not clear what that means.
So my questions:
John Spicer: I do not believe the injected class name should be available in the base specifier. I think the semantics of injected class names should be as if a magic declaration were inserted after the opening "{" of the class definition. The injected class name is a member of the class and members don't exist at the point where the base specifiers are scanned.
John Spicer: I believe the 3.3.6 basic.scope.class wording should be updated to reflect the fact that not all names come from declarators.
Notes from October 2003 meeting:
We agree with John Spicer's suggested answers above.
Proposed Resolution (October 2003):
The answer to question 1 above is No and no change is required.
For question 1, change 3.3.6 basic.scope.class paragraph 1 rule 1 to:
1) The potential scope of a name declared in a class consists not only of the declarative region following the name's point of declarationdeclarator, but also of all function bodies, default arguments, and constructor ctor-initializers in that class (including such things in nested classes). The point of declaration of an injected-class-name (clause 9 class) is immediately following the opening brace of the class definition.
(Note that this change overlaps a change in issue 417.)
Also change 3.3.1 basic.scope.pdecl by adding a new paragraph 8 for the injected-class-name case:
The point of declaration for an injected-class-name (clause 9 class) is immediately following the opening brace of the class definition.
Alternatively this paragraph could be added after paragraph 5 and before the two note paragraphs (i.e. it would become paragraph 5a).
[Moved to DR at 10/01 meeting.]
The example in 3.4.1 basic.lookup.unqual paragraph 3 is incorrect:
typedef int f;
struct A {
friend void f(A &);
operator int();
void g(A a) {
f(a);
}
};
Regardless of the resolution of other issues concerning the lookup
of names in friend declarations, this example is ill-formed
(the function and the typedef cannot exist in the same scope).
One possible repair of the example would be to make f a class with a constructor taking either A or int as its parameter.
(See also issues 95, 136, 138, 143, 165, and 166.)
Proposed resolution (04/01):
Change the example in 3.4.1 basic.lookup.unqual paragraph 3 to read:
typedef int f;
namespace N {
struct A {
friend int f(A &);
operator int();
void g(A a) {
int i = f(a);
// f is the typedef, not the friend function:
// equivalent to int(a)
}
};
}
Delete the sentence immediately following the example:
The expression f(a) is a cast-expression equivalent to int(a).
[Moved to DR at 4/02 meeting.]
Paragraphs 1 and 2 of 3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep say, in part,
When an unqualified name is used as the postfix-expression in a function call (5.2.2 expr.call )... namespace-scope friend function declarations (11.4 class.friend ) not otherwise visible may be found... the set of declarations found by the lookup of the function name [includes] the set of declarations found in the... classes associated with the argument types.The most straightforward reading of this wording is that if a function of namespace scope (as opposed to a class member function) is declared as a friend in a class, and that class is an associated class in a function call, the friend function will be part of the overload set, even if it is not visible to normal lookup.
Consider the following example:
namespace A {
class S;
};
namespace B {
void f(A::S);
};
namespace A {
class S {
int i;
friend void B::f(S);
};
}
void g() {
A::S s;
f(s); // should find B::f(A::S)
}
This example would seem to satisfy the criteria from
3.4.2
basic.lookup.argdep
:
A::S is an associated class of the argument, and
A::S has a
friend declaration of the namespace-scope function
B::f(A::S),
so Koenig lookup should include B::f(A::S) as part of the
overload set in the call.
Another interpretation is that, instead of finding the friend declarations in associated classes, one only looks for namespace-scope functions, visible or invisible, in the namespaces of which the the associated classes are members; the only use of the friend declarations in the associated classes is to validate whether an invisible function declaration came from an associated class or not and thus whether it should be included in the overload set or not. By this interpretation, the call f(s) in the example will fail, because B::f(A::S) is not a member of namespace A and thus is not found by the lookup.
Notes from 10/99 meeting: The second interpretation is correct. The wording should be revised to make clear that Koenig lookup works by finding "invisible" declarations in namespace scope and not by finding friend declarations in associated classes.
Proposed resolution (04/01): The "associated classes" are handled adequately under this interpretation by 3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep paragraph 3, which describes the lookup in the associated namespaces as including the friend declarations from the associated classes. Other mentions of the associated classes should be removed or qualified to avoid the impression that there is a lookup in those classes:
In 3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep, change
When an unqualified name is used as the postfix-expression in a function call (5.2.2 expr.call), other namespaces not considered during the usual unqualified lookup (3.4.1 basic.lookup.unqual) may be searched, and namespace-scope friend function declarations (11.4 class.friend) not otherwise visible may be found.
to
When an unqualified name is used as the postfix-expression in a function call (5.2.2 expr.call), other namespaces not considered during the usual unqualified lookup (3.4.1 basic.lookup.unqual) may be searched, and in those namespaces, namespace-scope friend function declarations (11.4 class.friend) not otherwise visible may be found.
In 3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep paragraph 2, delete the words and classes in the following two sentences:
If the ordinary unqualified lookup of the name finds the declaration of a class member function, the associated namespacesand classesare not considered. Otherwise the set of declarations found by the lookup of the function name is the union of the set of declarations found using ordinary unqualified lookup and the set of declarations found in the namespacesand classesassociated with the argument types.
(See also issues 95, 136, 138, 139, 165, 166, and 218.)
[Voted into WP at March 2004 meeting.]
Spun off from issue 384.
3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep says:
If T is a template-id, its associated namespaces and classes are the namespace in which the template is defined; for member templates, the member template's class; the namespaces and classes associated with the types of the template arguments provided for template type parameters (excluding template template parameters); the namespaces in which any template template arguments are defined; and the classes in which any member templates used as template template arguments are defined. [Note: non-type template arguments do not contribute to the set of associated namespaces. ]There is a problem with the term "is a template-id". template-id is a syntactic construct and you can't really talk about a type being a template-id. Presumably, this is intended to mean "If T is the type of a class template specialization ...".
Proposed Resolution (October 2003):
In 3.4.2 basic.lookup.argdep, paragraph 2, bullet 8, replace
If T is a template-id ...with
If T is a class template specialization ...
[Voted into WP at April 2003 meeting.]
Can a typedef T to a cv-qualified class type be used in a qualified name T::x?
struct A { static int i; };
typedef const A CA;
int main () {
CA::i = 0; // Okay?
}
Suggested answer: Yes. All the compilers I tried accept the test case.
Proposed resolution (10/01):
In 3.4.3.1 class.qual paragraph 1 add the indicated text:
If the nested-name-specifier of a qualified-id nominates a class, the name specified after the nested-name-specifier is looked up in the scope of the class (10.2 class.member.lookup), except for the cases listed below. The name shall represent one or more members of that class or of one of its base classes (clause 10 class.derived). If the class-or-namespace-name of the nested-name-specifier names a cv-qualified class type, it nominates the underlying class (the cv-qualifiers are ignored).
Notes from 4/02 meeting:
There is a problem in that class-or-namespace-name does not include typedef names for cv-qualified class types. See 7.1.3 dcl.typedef paragraph 4:
Argument and text removed from proposed resolution (October 2002):
7.1.3 dcl.typedef paragraph 5:
Here's a good question: in this example, should X be used as a name-for-linkage-purposes (FLP name)?
typedef class { } const X;
Because a type-qualifier is parsed as a decl-specifier, it isn't possible to declare cv-qualified and cv-unqualified typedefs for a type in a single declaration. Also, of course, there's no way to declare a typedef for the cv-unqualified version of a type for which only a cv-qualified version has a name. So, in the above example, if X isn't used as the FLP name, then there can be no FLP name. Also note that a FLP name usually represents a parameter type, where top-level cv-qualifiers are usually irrelevant anyway.
Data points: for the above example, Microsoft uses X as the FLP name; GNU and EDG do not.
My recommendation: for consistency with the direction we're going on this issue, for simplicity of description (e.g., "the first class-name declared by the declaration"), and for (very slightly) increased utility, I think Microsoft has this right.
If the typedef declaration defines an unnamed class type (or enum type), the first typedef-name declared by the declaration tobehave thatclasstype(or enum type)or a cv-qualified version thereof is used to denote the class type (or enum type) for linkage purposes only (3.5 basic.link). [Example: ...
Proposed resolution (October 2002):
3.4.4 basic.lookup.elab paragraphs 2 and 3:
This sentence is deleted twice:
...If this name lookup finds a typedef-name, the elaborated-type-specifier is ill-formed....
Note that the above changes are included in N1376 as part of the resolution of issue 245.
5.1 expr.prim paragraph 7:
This is only a note, and it is at least incomplete (and quite possibly inaccurate), despite (or because of) its complexity. I propose to delete it.
... [Note: a typedef-name that names a class is a class-name (9.1 class.name).Except as the identifier in the declarator for a constructor or destructor definition outside of a class member-specification (12.1 class.ctor, 12.4 class.dtor), a typedef-name that names a class may be used in a qualified-id to refer to a constructor or destructor.]
7.1.3 dcl.typedef paragraph 4:
My first choice would have been to make this the primary statement about the equivalence of typedef-name and class-name, since the equivalence comes about as a result of a typedef declaration. Unfortunately, references to class-name point to 9.1 class.name, so it would seem that the primary statement should be there instead. To avoid the possiblity of conflicts in the future, I propose to make this a note.
[Note: A typedef-name that names a class type, or a cv-qualified version thereof, is also a class-name (9.1 class.name). If a typedef-name is usedfollowing the class-key in an elaborated-type-specifier (7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab), or in the class-head of a class declaration (9 class), or is used as the identifier in the declarator for a constructor or destructor declaration (12.1 class.ctor, 12.4 class.dtor),to identify the subject of an elaborated-type-specifier (7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab), class declaration (clause 9 class), constructor declaration (12.1 class.ctor), or destructor declaration (12.4 class.dtor), the program is ill-formed. ] [Example: ...
7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab paragraph 2:
This is the only remaining (normative) statement that a typedef-name can't be used in an elaborated-type-specifier. The reference to template type-parameter is deleted by the resolution of issue 283.
... If the identifier resolves to a typedef-nameor a template type-parameter, the elaborated-type-specifier is ill-formed. [Note: ...
8 dcl.decl grammar rule declarator-id:
When I looked carefully into the statement of the rule prohibiting a typedef-name in a constructor declaration, it appeared to me that this grammar rule (inadvertently?) allows something that's always forbidden semantically.
declarator-id:
id-expression
::opt nested-name-specifieropttype-nameclass-name
9.1 class.name paragraph 5:
Unlike the prohibitions against appearing in an elaborated-type-specifier or constructor or destructor declarator, each of which was expressed more than once, the prohibition against a typedef-name appearing in a class-head was previously stated only in 7.1.3 dcl.typedef. It seems to me that that prohibition belongs here instead. Also, it seems to me important to clarify that a typedef-name that is a class-name is still a typedef-name. Otherwise, the various prohibitions can be argued around easily, if perversely ("But that isn't a typedef-name, it's a class-name; it says so right there in 9.1 class.name.")
A typedef-name (7.1.3 dcl.typedef) that names a class type or a cv-qualified version thereof is also a class-name, but shall not be usedin an elaborated-type-specifier; see also 7.1.3 dcl.typedef.as the identifier in a class-head.
12.1 class.ctor paragraph 3:
The new nonterminal references are needed to really nail down what we're talking about here. Otherwise, I'm just eliminating redundancy. (A typedef-name that doesn't name a class type is no more valid here than one that does.)
A typedef-name that names a class is a class-name (7.1.3 dcl.typedef); however, aA typedef-namethat names a classshall not be used as theidentifierclass-name in thedeclaratordeclarator-id for a constructor declaration.
12.4 class.dtor paragraph 1:
The same comments apply here as to 12.1 class.ctor.
...A typedef-name that names a class is a class-name (7.1.3); however, aA typedef-namethat names a classshall not be used as theidentifierclass-name following the ~ in the declarator for a destructor declaration.
[Voted into WP at April 2003 meeting.]
A use of an injected-class-name in an elaborated-type-specifier should not name the constructor of the class, but rather the class itself, because in that context we know that we're looking for a type. See issue 147.
Proposed Resolution (revised October 2002):
This clarifies the changes made in the TC for issue 147.
In 3.4.3.1 class.qual paragraph 1a replace:
If the nested-name-specifier nominates a class C, and the name specified after the nested-name-specifier, when looked up in C, is the injected class name of C (clause 9 class), the name is instead considered to name the constructor of class C.
with
In a lookup in which the constructor is an acceptable lookup result, if the nested-name-specifier nominates a class C and the name specified after the nested-name-specifier, when looked up in C, is the injected class name of C (clause 9 class), the name is instead considered to name the constructor of class C. [Note: For example, the constructor is not an acceptable lookup result in an elaborated type specifier so the constructor would not be used in place of the injected class name.]
Note that issue 263 updates a part of the same paragraph.
Append to the example:
struct A::A a2; // object of type A
[Voted into WP at March 2004 meeting.]
Consider this code:
struct A { int i; struct i {}; };
struct B { int i; struct i {}; };
struct D : public A, public B { using A::i; void f (); };
void D::f () { struct i x; }
I can't find anything in the standard that says definitively what this means. 7.3.3 namespace.udecl says that a using-declaration shall name "a member of a base class" -- but here we have two members, the data member A::i and the class A::i.
Personally, I'd find it more attractive if this code did not work. I'd like "using A::i" to mean "lookup A::i in the usual way and bind B::i to that", which would mean that while "i = 3" would be valid in D::f, "struct i x" would not be. However, if there were no A::i data member, then "A::i" would find the struct and the code in D::f would be valid.
John Spicer: I agree with you, but unfortunately the standard committee did not.
I remembered that this was discussed by the committee and that a resolution was adopted that was different than what I hoped for, but I had a hard time finding definitive wording in the standard.
I went back though my records and found the paper that proposed a resolution and the associated committee motion that adopted the proposed resolution The paper is N0905, and "option 1" from that paper was adopted at the Stockholm meeting in July of 1996. The resolution is that "using A::i" brings in everything named i from A.
3.4.3.2 namespace.qual paragraph 2 was modified to implement this resolution, but interestingly that only covers the namespace case and not the class case. I think the class case was overlooked when the wording was drafted. A core issue should be opened to make sure the class case is handled properly.
Notes from April 2003 meeting:
This is related to issue 11. 7.3.3 namespace.udecl paragraph 10 has an example for namespaces.
Proposed resolution (October 2003):
Add a bullet to the end of 3.4.3.1 class.qual paragraph 1:
Change the beginning of 7.3.3 namespace.udecl paragraph 4 from
A using-declaration used as a member-declaration shall refer to a member of a base class of the class being defined, shall refer to a member of an anonymous union that is a member of a base class of the class being defined, or shall refer to an enumerator for an enumeration type that is a member of a base class of the class being defined.
to
In a using-declaration used as a member-declaration, the nested-name-specifier shall name a base class of the class being defined. Such a using-declaration introduces the set of declarations found by member name lookup (10.2 class.member.lookup, 3.4.3.1 class.qual).
[Voted into WP at April 2003 meeting.]
I have some concerns with the description of name lookup for elaborated type specifiers in 3.4.4 basic.lookup.elab:
Paragraph 2 has some parodoxical statements concerning looking up names that are simple identifers:
If the elaborated-type-specifier refers to an enum-name and this lookup does not find a previously declared enum-name, the elaborated-type-specifier is ill-formed. If the elaborated-type-specifier refers to an [sic] class-name and this lookup does not find a previously declared class-name... the elaborated-type-specifier is a declaration that introduces the class-name as described in 3.3.1 basic.scope.pdecl."
It is not clear how an elaborated-type-specifier can refer to an enum-name or class-name given that the lookup does not find such a name and that class-name and enum-name are not part of the syntax of an elaborated-type-specifier.
The second sentence quoted above seems to suggest that the name found will not be used if it is not a class name. typedef-name names are ill-formed due to the sentence preceding the quote. If lookup finds, for instance, an enum-name then a new declaration will be created. This differs from C, and from the enum case, and can have surprising effects:
struct S {
enum E {
one = 1
};
class E* p; // declares a global class E?
};
Was this really the intent? If this is the case then some more work is needed on 3.4.4 basic.lookup.elab. Note that the section does not make finding a type template formal ill-formed, as is done in 7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab. I don't see anything that makes a type template formal name a class-name. So the example in 7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab of friend class T; where T is a template type formal would no longer be ill-formed with this interpretation because it would declare a new class T.
(See also issue 254.)
Notes from the 4/02 meeting:
This will be consolidated with the changes for issue 254. See also issue 298.
Proposed resolution (October 2002):
As given in N1376=02-0034. Note that the inserts and strikeouts in that document do not display correctly in all browsers; <del> --> <strike> and <ins> --> <b>, and the similar changes for the closing delimiters, seem to do the trick.
[Voted into WP at April 2003 meeting.]
The text in 3.4.4 basic.lookup.elab paragraph 2 twice refers to the possibility that an elaborated-type-specifier might have the form
class-key identifier ;
However, the grammar for elaborated-type-specifier does not include a semicolon.
In both 3.4.4 basic.lookup.elab and 7.1.5.3 dcl.type.elab, the text asserts that an elaborated-type-specifier that refers to a typedef-name is ill-formed. However, it is permissible for the form of elaborated-type-specifier that begins with typename to refer to a typedef-name.
This problem is the result of adding the typename form to the elaborated-type-name grammar without changing the verbiage correspondingly. It could be fixed either by updating the verbiage or by moving the typename syntax into its own production and referring to both nonterminals when needed.
(See also issue 180. If this issue is resolved in favor of a separate nonterminal in the grammar for the typename forms, the wording in that issue's resolution must be changed accordingly.)
Notes from 04/01 meeting:
The consensus was in favor of moving the typename forms out of the elaborated-type-specifier grammar.
Notes from the 4/02 meeting:
This will be consolidated with the changes for issue 245.
Proposed resolution (October 2002):
As given in N1376=02-0034.
[Voted into WP at October 2004 meeting.]
The example in 3.4.5 basic.lookup.classref paragraph 4 is wrong (see 11.2 class.access.base paragraph 5; the cast to the naming class can't be done) and needs to be corrected. This was noted when the final version of the algorithm for issue 39 was checked against it.
Proposed Resolution (October 2003):
Remove the entire note at the end of 3.4.5 basic.lookup.classref paragraph 4, including the entire example.
[Moved to DR at 10/01 meeting.]
3.5 basic.link paragraph 4 says (among other things):A name having namespace scope has external linkage if it is the name ofThat prohibits for example:
- [...]
- a named enumeration (7.2 dcl.enum), or an unnamed enumeration defined in a typedef declaration in which the enumeration has the typedef name for linkage purposes (7.1.3 dcl.typedef)
typedef enum { e1 } *PE;
void f(PE) {} // Cannot declare a function (with linkage) using a
// type with no linkage.
However, the same prohibition was not made for class scope types. Indeed, 3.5 basic.link paragraph 5 says:
In addition, a member function, static data member, class or enumeration of class scope has external linkage if the name of the class has external linkage.
That allows for:
struct S {
typedef enum { e1 } *MPE;
void mf(MPE) {}
};
My guess is that this is an unintentional consequence of 3.5 basic.link paragraph 5, but I would like confirmation on that.
Proposed resolution:
Change text in 3.5 basic.link paragraph 5 from:
In addition, a member function, static data member, class or enumeration of class scope has external linkage if the name of the class has external linkage.to:
In addition, a member function, a static data member, a named class or enumeration of class scope, or an unnamed class or enumeration defined in a class-scope typedef declaration such that the class or enumeration has the typedef name for linkage purposes (7.1.3 dcl.typedef), has external linkage if the name of the class has external linkage.
[Voted into WP at October 2004 meeting.]
According to 3.5 basic.link paragraph 8, "A name with no linkage ... shall not be used to declare an entity with linkage." This would appear to rule out code such as:
typedef struct {
int i;
} *PT;
extern "C" void f(PT);
[likewise]
static enum { a } e;
which seems rather harmless to me.
See issue 132, which dealt with a closely related issue.
Andrei Iltchenko submitted the same issue via comp.std.c++ on 17 Dec 2001:
Paragraph 8 of Section 3.5 basic.link contains the following sentences: "A name with no linkage shall not be used to declare an entity with linkage. If a declaration uses a typedef name, it is the linkage of the type name to which the typedef refers that is considered."
The problem with this wording is that it doesn't cover cases where the type to which a typedef-name refers has no name. As a result it's not clear whether, for example, the following program is well-formed:
#include <vector>
int main()
{
enum { sz = 6u };
typedef int (* aptr_type)[sz];
typedef struct data {
int i, j;
} * elem_type;
std::vector<aptr_type> vec1;
std::vector<elem_type> vec2;
}
Suggested resolution:
My feeling is that the rules for whether or not a typedef-name used in a declaration shall be treated as having or not having linkage ought to be modelled after those for dependent types, which are explained in 14.6.2.1 temp.dep.type.
Add the following text at the end of Paragraph 8 of Section 3.5 basic.link and replace the following example:
In case of the type referred to by a typedef declaration not having a name,
the newly declared typedef-name has linkage if and only if its referred type
comprises no names of no linkage excluding local names that are eligible for
appearance in an integral constant-expression (5.19
expr.const).
[Note: if the referred
type contains a typedef-name that does not denote an unnamed class, the
linkage of that name is established by the recursive application of this
rule for the purposes of using typedef names in declarations.] [Example:
void f()
{
struct A { int x; }; // no linkage
extern A a; // ill-formed
typedef A Bl
extern B b; // ill-formed
enum { sz = 6u };
typedef int (* C)[sz]; // C has linkage because sz can
// appear in a constant expression
}
--end example.]
Additional issue (13 Jan 2002, from Andrei Iltchenko):
Paragraph 2 of Section 14.3.1 temp.arg.type is inaccurate and unnecessarily prohibits a few important cases; it says "A local type, a type with no linkage, an unnamed type or a type compounded from any of these types shall not be used as a template-argument for a template-parameter." The inaccuracy stems from the fact that it is not a type but its name that can have a linkage.
For example based on the current wording of 14.3.1 temp.arg.type, the following example is ill-formed.
#include <vector>
struct data {
int i, j;
};
int main()
{
enum { sz = 6u };
std::vector<int(*)[sz]> vec1; // The types 'int(*)[sz]' and 'data*'
std::vector<data*> vec2; // have no names and are thus illegal
// as template type arguments.
}
Suggested resolution:
Replace the whole second paragraph of Section 14.3.1 temp.arg.type with the following wording:
A type whose name does not have a linkage or a type compounded from any such
type shall not be used as a template-argument for a template-parameter. In
case of a type T used as a template type argument not having a name,
T
constitutes a valid template type argument if and only if the name of an
invented typedef declaration referring to T would have linkage;
see 3.5.
[Example:
template <class T> class X { /* ... */ };
void f()
{
struct S { /* ... */ };
enum { sz = 6u };
X<S> x3; // error: a type name with no linkage
// used as template-argument
X<S*> x4; // error: pointer to a type name with
// no linkage used as template-argument
X<int(*)[sz]> x5; // OK: since the name of typedef int
// (*pname)[sz] would have linkage
}
--end example] [Note: a template type argument may be an incomplete type
(3.9
basic.types).]
Proposed resolution:
This is resolved by the changes for issue 389. The present issue was moved back to Review status in February 2004 because 389 was moved back to Review.
[Voted into WP at October 2004 meeting.]
3.5 basic.link paragraph 8 says (among other things):
A name with no linkage (notably, the name of a class or enumeration declared in a local scope (3.3.2 basic.scope.local)) shall not be used to declare an entity with linkage. If a declaration uses a typedef name, it is the linkage of the type name to which the typedef refers that is considered.
I would expect this to catch situations such as the following:
// File 1:
typedef struct {} *UP;
void f(UP) {}
// File 2:
typedef struct {} *UP; // Or: typedef struct {} U, *UP;
void f(UP);
The problem here is that most implementations must generate the same mangled name for "f" in two translation units. The quote from the standard above isn't quite clear, unfortunately: There is no type name to which the typedef refers.
A related situation is the following:
enum { no, yes } answer;
The variable "answer" is declared as having external linkage, but it is
declared
with an unnamed type. Section 3.5
basic.link
talks about the linkage of names, however,
and does therefore not prohibit this. There is no implementation issue
for most
compilers because they do not ordinarily mangle variable names, but I
believe
the intent was to allow that implementation technique.
Finally, these problems are much less relevant when declaring names with internal linkage. For example, I would expect there to be few problems with:
typedef struct {} *UP;
static void g(UP);
I recently tried to interpret 3.5 basic.link paragraph 8 with the assumption that types with no names have no linkage. Surprisingly, this resulted in many diagnostics on variable declarations (mostly like "answer" above).
I'm pretty sure the standard needs clarifying words in this matter, but which way should it go?
See also issue 319.
Notes from April 2003 meeting:
There was agreement that this check is not needed for variables and functions with extern "C" linkage, and a change there is desirable to allow use of legacy C headers. The check is also not needed for entities with internal linkage, but there was no strong sentiment for changing that case.
We also considered relaxing this requirement for extern "C++" variables but decided that we did not want to change that case.
We noted that if extern "C" functions are allowed an additional check is needed when such functions are used as arguments in calls of function templates. Deduction will put the type of the extern "C" function into the type of the template instance, i.e., there would be a need to mangle the name of an unnamed type. To plug that hole we need an additional requirement on the template created in such a case.
Proposed resolution (April 2003, revised slightly October 2003 and March 2004):
In 3.5 basic.link paragraph 8, change
A name with no linkage (notably, the name of a class or enumeration declared in a local scope (3.3.2 basic.scope.local)) shall not be used to declare an entity with linkage. If a declaration uses a typedef name, it is the linkage of the type name to which the typedef refers that is considered.
to
A type is said to have linkage if and only ifA type without linkage shall not be used as the type of a variable or function with linkage, unless the variable or function has extern "C" linkage (7.5 dcl.link). [Note: in other words, a type without linkage contains a class or enumeration that cannot be named outside of its translation unit. An entity with external linkage declared using such a type could not correspond to any other entity in another translation unit of the program and is thus not permitted. Also note that classes with linkage may contain members whose types do not have linkage, and that typedef names are ignored in the determination of whether a type has linkage.]
- it is a class or enumeration type that is named (or has a name for linkage purposes (7.1.3 dcl.typedef)) and the name has linkage; or
- it is a specialization of a class template (14 temp) [Footnote: a class template always has external linkage, and the requirements of 14.3.1 temp.arg.type and 14.3.2 temp.arg.nontype ensure that the template arguments will also have appropriate linkage]; or
- it is a fundamental type (3.9.1 basic.fundamental); or
- it is a compound type (3.9.2 basic.compound) other than a class or enumeration, compounded exclusively from types that have linkage; or
- it is a cv-qualified (3.9.3 basic.type.qualifier) version of a type that has linkage.
Change 14.3.1 temp.arg.type paragraph 2 from (note: this is the wording as updated by issue 62)
The following types shall not be used as a template-argument for a template type-parameter:
- a type whose name has no linkage
- an unnamed class or enumeration type that has no name for linkage purposes (7.1.3 dcl.typedef)
- a cv-qualified version of one of the types in this list
- a type created by application of declarator operators to one of the types in this list
- a function type that uses one of the types in this list
to
A type without linkage (3.5 basic.link) shall not be used as a template-argument for a template type-parameter.
Once this issue is ready, issue 319 should be moved back to ready as well.
[Voted into WP at October 2005 meeting.]
Consider the following bit of code:
namespace N {
struct S {
void f();
};
}
using namespace N;
void S::f() {
extern void g(); // ::g or N::g?
}
In 3.5 basic.link paragraph 7 the Standard says (among other things),
When a block scope declaration of an entity with linkage is not found to refer to some other declaration, then that entity is a member of the innermost enclosing namespace.
The question then is whether N is an “enclosing namespace” for the local declaration of g()?
Proposed resolution (October 2004):
Add the following text as a new paragraph at the end of 7.3.1 namespace.def:
The enclosing namespaces of a declaration are those namespaces in which the declaration lexically appears, except for a redeclaration of a namespace member outside its original namespace (e.g., a definition as specified in 7.3.1.2 namespace.memdef). Such a redeclaration has the same enclosing namespaces as the original declaration. [Example:namespace Q { namespace V { void f(); // enclosing namespaces are the global namespace, Q, and Q::V class C { void m(); }; } void V::f() { // enclosing namespaces are the global namespace, Q, and Q::V extern void h(); // ... so this declares Q::V::h } void V::C::m() { // enclosing namespaces are the global namespace, Q, and Q::V } }—end example]
[Moved to DR at 4/02 meeting.]
The Standard does not appear to address how the rules for order of initialization apply to static data members of class templates.
Suggested resolution: Add the following verbiage to either 3.6.2 basic.start.init or 9.4.2 class.static.data:
Initialization of static data members of class templates shall be performed during the initialization of static data members for the first translation unit to have static initialization performed for which the template member has been instantiated. This requirement shall apply to both the static and dynamic phases of initialization.
Notes from 04/01 meeting:
Enforcing an order of initialization on static data members of class templates will result in substantial overhead on access to such variables. The problem is that the initialization be required as the result of instantiation in a function used in the initialization of a variable in another translation unit. In current systems, the order of initialization of static data data members of class templates is not predictable. The proposed resolution is to state that the order of initialization is undefined.
Proposed resolution (04/01, updated slightly 10/01):
Replace the following sentence in 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1:
Objects with static storage duration defined in namespace scope in the same translation unit and dynamically initialized shall be initialized in the order in which their definition appears in the translation unit.
with
Dynamic initialization of an object is either ordered or unordered. Explicit specializations and definitions of class template static data members have ordered initialization. Other class template static data member instances have unordered initialization. Other objects defined in namespace scope have ordered initialization. Objects defined within a single translation unit and with ordered initialization shall be initialized in the order of their definitions in the translation unit. The order of initialization is unspecified for objects with unordered initialization and for objects defined in different translation units.
Note that this wording is further updated by issue 362.
Note (07/01):
Brian McNamara argues against the proposed resolution. The following excerpt captures the central point of a long message on comp.std.c++:
I have a class for representing linked lists which looks something liketemplate <class T> class List { ... static List<T>* sentinel; ... }; template <class T> List<T>* List<T>::sentinel( new List<T> ); // static member definitionThe sentinel list node is used to represent "nil" (the null pointer cannot be used with my implementation, for reasons which are immaterial to this discussion). All of the List's non-static member functions and constructors depend upon the value of the sentinel. Under the proposed resolution for issue #270, Lists cannot be safely instantiated before main() begins, as the sentinel's initialization is "unordered".
(Some readers may propose that I should use the "singleton pattern" in the List class. This is undesirable, for reasons I shall describe at the end of this post at the location marked "[*]". For the moment, indulge me by assuming that "singleton" is not an adequate solution.)
Though this is a particular example from my own experience, I believe it is representative of a general class of examples. It is common to use static data members of a class to represent the "distinguished values" which are important to instances of that class. It is imperative that these values be initialized before any instances of the class are created, as the instances depend on the values.
In a comp.std.c++ posting on 28 Jul 2001, Brian McNamara proposes the following alternative resolution:
Replace the following sentence in 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1:
Objects with static storage duration defined in namespace scope in the same translation unit and dynamically initialized shall be initialized in the order in which their definition appears in the translation unit.with
Objects with static storage duration defined in namespace scope shall be initialized in the order described below.and then after paragraph 1, add this text:
Dynamic initialization is either ordered or quasi-ordered. Explicit specializations of class template static data members have ordered initialization. Other class template static data member instances have quasi-ordered initialization. All other objects defined in namespace scope have ordered initialization. The order of initialization is specified as follows:along with a non-normative note along the lines of
- Objects that are defined within a single translation unit and that have ordered initialization shall be initialized in the order of their definitions in the translation unit.
- Objects that are defined only within a single translation unit and that have quasi-ordered initialization shall also be initialized in the order of their definitions in the translation unit -- that is, as though these objects had ordered initialization.
- Objects that are defined within multiple translation units (which, therefore, must have quasi-ordered initialization) shall be initialized as follows: in exactly one translation unit (which one is unspecified), the object shall be treated as though it has ordered initialization; in the other translation units which define the object, the object will be initialized before all other objects that have ordered initialization in those translation units.
- For any two objects, "X" and "Y", with static storage duration and defined in namespace scope, if the previous bullets do not imply a relationship for the initialization ordering between "X" and "Y", then the relative initialization order of these objects is unspecified.
[ Note: The intention is that translation units can each be compiled separately with no knowledge of what objects may be re-defined in other translation units. Each translation unit can contain a method which initializes all objects (both quasi-ordered and ordered) as though they were ordered. When these translation units are linked together to create an executable program, all of these objects can be initialized by simply calling the initialization methods (one from each translation unit) in any order. Quasi-ordered objects require some kind of guard to ensure that they are not initialized more than once (the first attempt to initialize such an object should succeed; any subsequent attempts should simply be ignored). ]
Erwin Unruh replies: There is a point which is not mentioned with this posting. It is the cost for implementing the scheme. It requires that each static template variable is instantiated in ALL translation units where it is used. There has to be a flag for each of these variables and this flag has to be checked in each TU where the instantiation took place.
I would reject this idea and stand with the proposed resolution of issue 270.
There just is no portable way to ensure the "right" ordering of construction.
Notes from 10/01 meeting:
The Core Working Group reaffirmed its previous decision.
[Voted into WP at April 2005 meeting.]
I have a couple of questions about 3.6.2 basic.start.init, "Initialization of non-local objects." I believe I recall some discussion of related topics, but I can't find anything relevant in the issues list.
The first question arose when I discovered that different implementations treat reference initialization differently. Consider, for example, the following (namespace-scope) code:
int i; int& ir = i; int* ip = &i;Both initializers, "i" and "&i", are constant expressions, per 5.19 expr.const paragraph 4-5 (a reference constant expression and an address constant expression, respectively). Thus, both initializations are categorized as static initialization, according to 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1:
Zero-initialization and initialization with a constant expression are collectively called static initialization; all other initialization is dynamic initialization.
However, that does not mean that both ir and ip must be initialized at the same time:
Objects of POD types (3.9) with static storage duration initialized with constant expressions (5.19) shall be initialized before any dynamic initialization takes place.
Because "int&" is not a POD type, there is no requirement that it be initialized before dynamic initialization is performed, and implementations differ in this regard. Using a function called during dynamic initialization to print the values of "ip" and "&ir", I found that g++, Sun, HP, and Intel compilers initialize ir before dynamic initialization and the Microsoft compiler does not. All initialize ip before dynamic initialization. I believe this is conforming (albeit inconvenient :-) behavior.
So, my first question is whether it is intentional that a reference of static duration, initialized with a reference constant expression, need not be initialized before dynamic initialization takes place, and if so, why?
The second question is somewhat broader. As 3.6.2 basic.start.init is currently worded, it appears that there are no requirements on when ir is initialized. In fact, there is a whole category of objects -- non-POD objects initialized with a constant expression -- for which no ordering is specified. Because they are categorized as part of "static initialization," they are not subject to the requirement that they "shall be initialized in the order in which their definition appears in the translation unit." Because they are not POD types, they are not required to be initialized before dynamic initialization occurs. Am I reading this right?
My preference would be to change 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1 so that 1) references are treated like POD objects with respect to initialization, and 2) "static initialization" applies only to POD objects and references. Here's some sample wording to illustrate:
Suggested resolution:
Objects with static storage duration (3.7.1) shall be zero-initialized (8.5) before any other initialization takes place. Initializing a reference, or an object of POD type, of static storage duration with a constant expression (5.19) is called constant initialization. Together, zero-initialization and constant initialization are called static initialization; all other initialization is dynamic initialization. Static initialization shall be performed before any dynamic initialization takes place. [Remainder unchanged.]
Proposed Resolution:
Change 3.6.2 basic.start.init paragraph 1 as follows:
Objects with static storage duration (3.7.1) shall be zero-initialized (8.5) before any other initialization takes place. Initializing a reference, or an object of POD type, of static storage duration with a constant expression (5.19) is called constant initialization. Together, zero-initialization and constant initialization areZero-initialization and initialization with a constant expression are collectivelycalled static initialization; all other initialization is dynamic initialization. Static initialization shall be performedObjects of POD types (3.9) with static storage duration initialized with constant expressions (5.19) shall be initializedbefore any dynamic initialization takes place.
[Voted into WP at October 2005 meeting.]
Standard is clear on behaviour of default allocation/deallocation functions. However, it is surpisingly vague on requirements to the behaviour of user-defined deallocation function and an interaction between delete-expression and deallocation function. This caused a heated argument on fido7.su.c-cpp newsgroup.
Resume:
It is not clear if user-supplied deallocation function is called from delete-expr when the operand of delete-expr is the null pointer (5.3.5 expr.delete). If it is, standard does not specify what user-supplied deallocation function shall do with the null pointer operand (18.4.1 lib.new.delete). Instead, Standard uses the term "has no effect", which meaning is too vague in context given (5.3.5 expr.delete).
Description:
Consider statements
char* p= 0; //result of failed non-throwing ::new char[] ::delete[] p;Argument passed to delete-expression is valid - it is the result of a call to the non-throwing version of ::new, which has been failed. 5.3.5 expr.delete paragraph 1 explicitly prohibit us to pass 0 without having the ::new failure.
Standard does NOT specify whether user-defined deallocation function should be called in this case, or not.
Specifically, standard says in 5.3.5 expr.delete paragraph 2:
...if the value of the operand of delete is the null pointer the operation has no effect.Standard doesn't specify term "has no effect". It is not clear from this context, whether the called deallocation function is required to have no effect, or delete-expression shall not call the deallocation function.
Furthermore, in para 4 standard says on default deallocation function:
If the delete-expression calls the implementation deallocation function (3.7.3.2 basic.stc.dynamic.deallocation), if the operand of the delete expression is not the null pointer constant, ...Why it is so specific on interaction of default deallocation function and delete-expr?
If "has no effect" is a requirement to the deallocation function, then it should be stated in 3.7.3.2 basic.stc.dynamic.deallocation, or in 18.4.1.1 lib.new.delete.single and 18.4.1.2 lib.new.delete.array, and it should be stated explicitly.
Furthermore, standard does NOT specify what actions shall be performed by user-supplied deallocation function if NULL is given (18.4.1.1 lib.new.delete.single paragraph 12):
Required behaviour: accept a value of ptr that is null or that was returned by an earlier call to the default operator new(std::size_t) or operator new(std::size_t, const std::nothrow_t&).
The same corresponds to ::delete[] case.
Expected solution:
Notes from October 2002 meeting:
We believe that study of 18.4.1.1 lib.new.delete.single paragraphs 12 and 13, 18.4.1.2 lib.new.delete.array paragraphs 11 and 12, and 3.7.3.2 basic.stc.dynamic.deallocation paragraph 3 shows that the system-provided operato