Submitter: J11
Submission Date: 2006-03-29
Source: Rich Peterson <Rich.Peterson@hp.com>
Reference Document:
Version:1.4
Date: 2007-09-06
Subject: Italicize definition of variable length array
type, add forward references
Summary
The definition of variable length array type is in 6.7.5.2p4 (Array declarators), but it is not italicized:
If the size is * instead of being an expression, the array
type is a variable length array type of unspecified size,
which can only be used in declarations with function prototype
scope; such arrays are nonetheless complete types. If the size
is an integer constant expression and the element type has a
known constant size, the array type is not a variable length
array type; otherwise, the array type is a variable length
array type.
The way that the term appears in the text is not in a form where there is a single occurrence that gives the complete definition, but it would still probably be better to italicize it than not.
Or perhaps both the 1st and 3rd occurrence of it in the above should get italics? It would not make sense to italicize the 2nd occurrence. Re-writing the text to create a single occurrence that provides a complete definition does not seem worthwhile.
Also, variable length array types are mentioned several times prior to this definition. The following sections should probably have a forward reference "variable length array type (6.7.5.2)": 6.2.4, 6.2.7, 6.5.3.4
Similarly, a forward reference "variably modified type (6.7.5)" is desirable in 6.7.2.1.
Suggested Technical Corrigendum
1. Change first sentence of 6.7.5.2p4 (adding italics) from::
If the size is * instead of being an expression, the array type is a variable length array type of unspecified size, which can only be used in declarations with function prototype scope; such arrays are nonetheless complete types.
to
If the size is * instead of being an expression, the array type is a variable length array type of unspecified size, which can only be used in declarations with function prototype scope; such arrays are nonetheless complete types.
It might also be desirable to change the second sentence (adding italics) from:
If the size is an integer constant expression and the element type has a known constant size, the array type is not a variable length array type; otherwise, the array type is a variable length array type.
to
If the size is an integer constant expression and the element type has a known constant size, the array type is not a variable length array type; otherwise, the array type is a variable length array type.
2. Change list of Forward references following 6.2.4p6 from
Forward references: statements (6.8), function calls (6.5.2.2), declarators (6.7.5), array declarators (6.7.5.2), initialization (6.7.8).
to
Forward references: statements (6.8), function calls (6.5.2.2), declarators (6.7.5), array declarators (6.7.5.2), variable length array type (6.7.5.2), initialization (6.7.8).
3. Add forward reference section following 6.2.7p5:
Forward references: variable length array type (6.7.5.2).
4. Change list of Forward references following 6.5.3.4p7 from:
Forward references: common definitions
<stddef.h>(7.17), declarations (6.7), structure and union specifiers (6.7.2.1), type names (6.7.6), array declarators (6.7.5.2).
to
Forward references: common definitions
<stddef.h>(7.17), declarations (6.7), structure and union specifiers (6.7.2.1), type names (6.7.6), array declarators (6.7.5.2), variable length array type (6.7.5.2).
5. Change list of Forward references following 6.7.2.1p22 from:
Forward references: tags (6.7.2.3).
to
Forward references: tags (6.7.2.3), variably modified type (6.7.5).
Technical Corrigendum
1. Change first sentence of 6.7.5.2p4 (adding italics) from::
If the size is * instead of being an expression, the array type is a variable length array type of unspecified size, which can only be used in declarations with function prototype scope; such arrays are nonetheless complete types.
to
If the size is * instead of being an expression, the array type is a variable length array type of unspecified size, which can only be used in declarations with function prototype scope; such arrays are nonetheless complete types.
2. Change the second sentence (adding italics) from:
If the size is an integer constant expression and the element type has a known constant size, the array type is not a variable length array type; otherwise, the array type is a variable length array type.
to
If the size is an integer constant expression and the element type has a known constant size, the array type is not a variable length array type; otherwise, the array type is a variable length array type.
3. Change list of Forward references following 6.2.4p6 from
Forward references: statements (6.8), function calls (6.5.2.2), declarators (6.7.5), array declarators (6.7.5.2), initialization (6.7.8).
to
Forward references: statements (6.8), function calls (6.5.2.2), declarators (6.7.5), array declarators (6.7.5.2), variable length array type (6.7.5.2), initialization (6.7.8).
4. Add forward reference section following 6.2.7p5:
Forward references: variable length array type (6.7.5.2).
5. Change list of Forward references following 6.5.3.4p7 from:
Forward references: common definitions
<stddef.h>(7.17), declarations (6.7), structure and union specifiers (6.7.2.1), type names (6.7.6), array declarators (6.7.5.2).
to
Forward references: common definitions
<stddef.h>(7.17), declarations (6.7), structure and union specifiers (6.7.2.1), type names (6.7.6), array declarators (6.7.5.2), variable length array type (6.7.5.2).
6. Change list of Forward references following 6.7.2.1p22 from:
Forward references: tags (6.7.2.3).
to
Forward references: tags (6.7.2.3), variably modified type (6.7.5).