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### 954. Various threading bugs #4

Section: 27.3 [time.clock.req] Status: C++11 Submitter: Pete Becker Opened: 2009-01-07 Last modified: 2016-01-28

Priority: Not Prioritized

View all other issues in [time.clock.req].

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Discussion:

Table 55 — Clock Requirements (in 27.3 [time.clock.req])

1. the requirements for `C1::time_point` require `C1` and `C2` to "refer to the same epoch", but "epoch" is not defined.
2. "Different clocks may share a `time_point` definition if it is valid to compare their `time_point`s by comparing their respective `duration`s." What does "valid" mean here? And, since `C1::rep` is "THE representation type of the native `duration` and `time_point`" (emphasis added), there doesn't seem to be much room for some other representation.
3. `C1::is_monotonic` has type "`const bool`". The "`const`" should be removed.
4. `C1::period` has type `ratio`. `ratio` isn't a type, it's a template. What is the required type?

[ 2009-05-10 Howard adds: ]

1. "epoch" is purposefully not defined beyond the common English definition. The C standard also chose not to define epoch, though POSIX did. I believe it is a strength of the C standard that epoch is not defined. When it is known that two `time_point`s refer to the same epoch, then a definition of the epoch is not needed to compare the two `time_point`s, or subtract them.

   A `time_point` and a `Clock` implicitly refer to an (unspecified) epoch. The `time_point` represents an offset (`duration`) from an epoch.

2. The sentence:

   > Different clocks may share a `time_point` definition if it is valid to compare their `time_point`s by comparing their respective `duration`s.

   is redundant and could be removed. I believe the sentence which follows the above:

   > `C1` and `C2` shall refer to the same epoch.

   is sufficient. If two clocks share the same epoch, then by definition, comparing their `time_point`s is valid.

3. `is_monotonic` is meant to never change (be `const`). It is also desired that this value be usable in compile-time computation and branching.

4. This should probably instead be worded:

   > An instantiation of `ratio`.

[ Batavia (2009-05): ]

> Re (a): It is not clear to us whether "epoch" is a term of art.

> Re (b), (c), and (d): We agree with Howard's comments, and would consider adding to (c) a `static constexpr` requirement.

> Move to Open pending proposed wording.

[ 2009-05-25 Daniel adds: ]

> In regards to (d) I suggest to say "a specialization of ratio" instead of "An instantiation of ratio". This seems to be the better matching standard core language term for this kind of entity.

[ 2009-05-25 Ganesh adds: ]

> Regarding (a), I found this paper on the ISO website using the term "epoch" consistently with the current wording:

> http://standards.iso.org/ittf/PubliclyAvailableStandards/C030811e_FILES/MAIN_C030811e/text/ISOIEC_18026E_TEMPORAL_CS.HTM

> which is part of ISO/IEC 18026 "Information technology -- Spatial Reference Model (SRM)".

[ 2009-08-01 Howard: Moved to Reivew as the wording requested in Batavia has been provided. ]

[ 2009-10 Santa Cruz: ]

> Move to Ready.

Proposed resolution:

1. Change 27.3 [time.clock.req] p1:

   > -1- A clock is a bundle consisting of a native `duration`, a native `time_point`, and a function `now()` to get the current `time_point`. The origin of the clock's `time_point` is referred to as the clock's epoch as defined in section 6.3 of ISO/IEC 18026. A clock shall meet the requirements in Table 45.

2. Remove the sentence from the `time_point` row of the table "Clock Requirements":

   Clock requirements
   `C1::time_point` | `chrono::time_point<C1>` or `chrono::time_point<C2, C1::duration>` | The native `time_point` type of the clock. Different clocks may share a `time_point` definition if it is valid to compare their `time_point`s by comparing their respective `duration`s. `C1` and `C2` shall refer to the same epoch.

3. Change the row starting with `C1::period` of the table "Clock Requirements":

   Clock requirements
   `C1::period` | a specialization of `ratio` | The tick period of the clock in seconds.