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### 865. More algorithms that throw away information

Section: 25.7.6 [alg.fill], 25.7.7 [alg.generate] Status: C++11 Submitter: Daniel Krügler Opened: 2008-07-13 Last modified: 2016-01-28

Priority: Not Prioritized

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Discussion:

In regard to library defect 488 I found some more algorithms which unnecessarily throw away information. These are typically algorithms, which sequentially write into an `OutputIterator`, but do not return the final value of this output iterator. These cases are:

1.     template<class OutputIterator, class Size, class T>
       void fill_n(OutputIterator first, Size n, const T& value);

2.     template<class OutputIterator, class Size, class Generator>
       void generate_n(OutputIterator first, Size n, Generator gen);

In both cases the minimum requirements on the iterator are `OutputIterator`, which means according to the requirements of 23.3.5.4 [output.iterators] p. 2 that only single-pass iterations are guaranteed. So, if users of `fill_n` and `generate_n` have only an `OutputIterator` available, they have no chance to continue pushing further values into it, which seems to be a severe limitation to me.

[ Post Summit Daniel "conceptualized" the wording. ]

[ Batavia (2009-05): ]

> Alisdair likes the idea, but has concerns about the specific wording about the returns clauses.

> Alan notes this is a feature request.

> Bill notes we have made similar changes to other algorithms.

> Move to Open.

[ 2009-07 Frankfurt ]

> We have a consensus for moving forward on this issue, but Daniel needs to deconceptify it.

[ 2009-07-25 Daniel provided non-concepts wording. ]

[ 2009-10 Santa Cruz: ]

> Moved to Ready.

Proposed resolution:

1. Replace the current declaration of `fill_n` in 25 [algorithms]/2, header `<algorithm>` synopsis and in 25.7.6 [alg.fill] by

   >     template<class OutputIterator, class Size, class T>
   >       voidOutputIterator fill_n(OutputIterator first, Size n, const T& value);

   Just after the effects clause add a new returns clause saying:

   > Returns: For `fill_n` and positive `n`, returns `first + n`. Otherwise returns `first` for `fill_n`.

2. Replace the current declaration of `generate_n` in 25 [algorithms]/2, header `<algorithm>` synopsis and in 25.7.7 [alg.generate] by

   >     template<class OutputIterator, class Size, class Generator>
   >       voidOutputIterator generate_n(OutputIterator first, Size n, Generator gen);

   Just after the effects clause add a new returns clause saying:

   > For `generate_n` and positive `n`, returns `first + n`. Otherwise returns `first` for `generate_n`.