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std::pointer_traits should be SFINAE-friendlySection: 20.2.3[pointer.traits]Status:C++23Submitter: Glen Joseph FernandesOpened: 2021-04-20Last modified: 2023-11-22
Priority:2
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Discussion:
P1474R1 chose to usestd::to_address (a mechanism of converting pointer-like types to raw pointers) for contiguous iterators.std::to_address provides an optional customization point via an optional member instd::pointer_traits. However all iterators are not pointers, and the primary template ofstd::pointer_traits<Ptr> requires that eitherPtr::element_type is valid orPtr is of the formtemplate<T, Args...> or thepointer_traits specialization isill-formed. This requires specializingpointer_traits for those contiguous iterator types which is inconvenient for users.P1474should have also madepointer_traits SFINAE friendly.
[2021-05-10; Reflector poll]
Priority set to 2. Send to LEWG.Daniel: "there is no similar treatment for therebind membertemplate and I think it should be clarified whetherpointer_to'ssignature should exist and in which form in the offending case."
[2022-01-29; Daniel comments]
This issue has some overlap with LWG3665(i) in regard to the question how we should handletherebind_alloc member template of theallocator_traits template as specified by 20.2.9.2[allocator.traits.types]/11. It would seem preferable to decide for the same approach in both cases.
[2022-02-22 LEWG telecon; Status changed: LEWG → Open]
No objection to unanimous consent for Jonathan's suggestion to makepointer_traits an empty class when there is noelement_type. Jonathan to provide a paper.
Previous resolution [SUPERSEDED]:
This wording is relative toN4885.
Modify 20.2.3.2[pointer.traits.types] as indicated:
As additional drive-by fix the improper usage of the term "instantiation"has been corrected.
using element_type =see below;-1-Type:
Ptr::element_typeif thequalified-idPtr::element_typeis valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]); otherwise,TifPtris a class templateinstantiationspecialization of the formSomePointer<T, Args>, whereArgsis zero or more type arguments; otherwise,the specialization is ill-formedpointer_traitshas no memberelement_type.
[2022-09-27; Jonathan provides new wording]
Previous resolution [SUPERSEDED]:
This wording is relative toN4917.
Modify 20.2.3.1[pointer.traits.general] as indicated:
-1-The class template
pointer_traitssupplies a uniform interface tocertain attributes of pointer-like types.namespace std { template<class Ptr> struct pointer_traits {using pointer = Ptr;using element_type =see below;using difference_type =see below;template<class U> using rebind =see below;static pointer pointer_to(see below r);see below; }; template<class T> struct pointer_traits<T*> { using pointer = T*; using element_type = T; using difference_type = ptrdiff_t; template<class U> using rebind = U*; static constexpr pointer pointer_to(see below r) noexcept; };}Modify 20.2.3.2[pointer.traits.types] as indicated:
-?-The definitions in this subclause make use of the followingexposition-only class template and concept:
template<class T>structptr-traits-elem// exposition only{ };template<class T> requires requires { typename T::element_type; }structptr-traits-elem<T>{ using type = typename T::element_type; };template<template<class...> class SomePointer, class T, class... Args>requires (!requires { typename SomePointer<T, Args...>::element_type; })structptr-traits-elem<SomePointer<T, Args...>>{ using type = T; };template<class Ptr> concepthas-elem-type =// exposition only requires { typenameptr-traits-elem<Ptr>::type; }-?-If
Ptrsatisfieshas-elem-type,a specializationpointer_traits<Ptr>generated from thepointer_traitsprimary template has the members described in20.2.3.2[pointer.traits.types] and 20.2.3.3[pointer.traits.functions];otherwise, such a specialization has no members by any of the names describedin those subclauses or in 20.2.3.4[pointer.traits.optmem].using pointer = Ptr;using element_type =see belowtypenameptr-traits-elem<Ptr>::type;
-1-Type:Ptr::element_typeif thequalified-idPtr::element_typeis valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,TifPtris a class template instantiation of theformSomePointer<T, Args>, whereArgsis zero or moretype arguments; otherwise, thespecialization is ill-formed.using difference_type =see below;-2-Type:
Ptr::difference_typeif thequalified-idPtr::difference_typeis valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,ptrdiff_t.template<class U> using rebind =see below;-3-Alias template:
Ptr::rebind<U>if thequalified-idPtr::rebind<U>is valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,SomePointer<U, Args>ifPtris a class template instantiation of theformSomePointer<T, Args>, whereArgsis zero or moretype arguments; otherwise, the instantiation ofrebindis ill-formed.
[2022-10-11; Jonathan provides improved wording]
[2022-10-19; Reflector poll]
Set status to "Tentatively Ready" after six votes in favour in reflector poll.
[2022-11-12 Approved at November 2022 meeting in Kona. Status changed: Voting → WP.]
Proposed resolution:
This wording is relative toN4917.
Modify 20.2.3.1[pointer.traits.general] as indicated:
-1-The class template
pointer_traitssupplies a uniform interface tocertain attributes of pointer-like types.namespace std { template<class Ptr> struct pointer_traits {using pointer = Ptr;using element_type =see below;using difference_type =see below;template<class U> using rebind =see below;static pointer pointer_to(see below r);see below; }; template<class T> struct pointer_traits<T*> { using pointer = T*; using element_type = T; using difference_type = ptrdiff_t; template<class U> using rebind = U*; static constexpr pointer pointer_to(see below r) noexcept; };}
Modify 20.2.3.2[pointer.traits.types] as indicated:
-?-The definitions in this subclause make use of the followingexposition-only class template and concept:
template<class T>structptr-traits-elem// exposition only{ };template<class T> requires requires { typename T::element_type; }structptr-traits-elem<T>{ using type = typename T::element_type; };template<template<class...> class SomePointer, class T, class... Args>requires (!requires { typename SomePointer<T, Args...>::element_type; })structptr-traits-elem<SomePointer<T, Args...>>{ using type = T; };template<class Ptr> concepthas-elem-type =// exposition only requires { typenameptr-traits-elem<Ptr>::type; }-?-If
Ptrsatisfieshas-elem-type,a specializationpointer_traits<Ptr>generated from thepointer_traitsprimary template has the following membersas well as those described in 20.2.3.3[pointer.traits.functions];otherwise, such a specialization has no members by any of those names.using pointer =see below;-?-Type:
Ptr.using element_type =see below;-1-Type:
typenameptr-traits-elem<Ptr>::type.Ptr::element_typeif thequalified-idPtr::element_typeis valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,TifPtris a class template instantiation of theformSomePointer<T, Args>, whereArgsis zero or moretype arguments; otherwise, thespecialization is ill-formed.using difference_type =see below;-2-Type:
Ptr::difference_typeif thequalified-idPtr::difference_typeis valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,ptrdiff_t.template<class U> using rebind =see below;-3-Alias template:
Ptr::rebind<U>if thequalified-idPtr::rebind<U>is valid and denotes a type (13.10.3[temp.deduct]);otherwise,SomePointer<U, Args>ifPtris a class template instantiation of theformSomePointer<T, Args>, whereArgsis zero or moretype arguments; otherwise, the instantiation ofrebindis ill-formed.
Modify 20.2.3.4[pointer.traits.optmem] as indicated:
-1-Specializations of
pointer_traitsmay define the member declaredin this subclause to customize the behavior of the standard library.A specialization generated from thepointer_traitsprimary templatehas no member by this name.static element_type* to_address(pointer p) noexcept;-1-Returns:A pointer of type
element_type*that references the same locationas the argumentp.