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### 2618. [filesys.ts] [PDTS] `is_absolute()` return clause confusing

Section: 8.4.10 [filesys.ts::path.query] Status: TS Submitter: FI-7 Opened: 2014-01-20 Last modified: 2017-07-30

Priority: Not Prioritized

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Discussion:

Addresses: filesys.ts

`is_absolute` says: "Returns: true if the elements of `root_path()` uniquely identify a file system location, else false." The "uniquely identify a location" seems confusing in presence of symlinks.

Suggested action:

Clarify the returns clause so that there's no confusion about symlinks and 'location'.

[2014-02-10 Beman Dawes provides wording]

Proposed resolution:

Change 8.4.10 path query [path.query]:

>     bool is_absolute() const;

> > Returns: `true` if the elements of `root_path()` uniquely identify a file system location `pathname` contains an absolute path (4.1 [fs.def.absolute-path]) , else `false`.

> > [Example: `path("/").is_absolute()` is `true` for POSIX based operating systems, and `false` for Windows based operating systems. — end example]