This is an unofficial snapshot of the ISO/IEC JTC1 SC22 WG21 Core Issues List revision 113d. See http://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg21/ for the official list.

2024-03-20


647. Non-constexpr instances of constexpr constructor templates

Section: 9.2.6  [dcl.constexpr]     Status: CD1     Submitter: Mike Miller     Date: 12 Aug 2007

[Voted into the WP at the September, 2008 meeting.]

According to 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 5,

If the instantiated template specialization of a constexpr function template would fail to satisfy the requirements for a constexpr function, the constexpr specifier is ignored and the specialization is not a constexpr function.

One would expect to see a similar provision for an instantiated constructor template (because the requirements for a constexpr function [paragraph 3] are different from the requirements for a constexpr constructor [paragraph 4]), but there is none; constexpr constructor templates are not mentioned.

Suggested resolution:

Change the wording of 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 5 as indicated:

If the instantiated template specialization of a constexpr function template would fail to satisfy the requirements for a constexpr function or constexpr constructor, as appropriate to the function template, the constexpr specifier is ignored and the specialization is not a constexpr function or constexpr constructor.

Proposed resolution (June, 2008):

[Drafting note: This resolution goes beyond the problem described in the issue discussion, which is one aspect of the general failure of the existing wording to deal consistently with the distinctions between constexpr functions and constexpr constructors. The wording below attempts to rectify that problem systematically.]

  1. Change 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 2 as follows:

  2. A constexpr specifier used in a function declaration the declaration of a function that is not a constructor declares that function to be a constexpr function. Similarly, a constexpr specifier used in a constructor declaration declares that constructor to be a constexpr constructor. Constexpr functions and constexpr constructors are implicitly inline (9.2.3 [dcl.fct.spec]). A constexpr function shall not be virtual (10.3).
  3. Change 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 3 as follows:

  4. The definition of a constexpr function shall satisfy the following constraints:

    [Example:...

  5. Change 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 4 as follows:

  6. The definition of a constexpr constructor shall satisfy the following constraints:

    A trivial copy constructor is also a constexpr constructor. [Example: ...

  7. Change 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 5 as follows:

  8. If the instantiated template specialization of a constexpr function template would fail to satisfy the requirements for a constexpr function or constexpr constructor, the constexpr specifier is ignored and the specialization is not a constexpr function.
  9. Change 9.2.6 [dcl.constexpr] paragraph 6 as follows:

  10. A constexpr specifier used in for a non-static member function definition that is not a constructor declares that member function to be const (11.4.3 [class.mfct.non.static]). [Note: ...