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### 932. `unique_ptr(pointer p)` for pointer deleter types

Section: 20.11.1.3.2 [unique.ptr.single.ctor] Status: Resolved Submitter: Howard Hinnant Opened: 2008-11-26 Last modified: 2016-01-28

Priority: Not Prioritized

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Discussion:

Addresses US 79

20.11.1.3.2 [unique.ptr.single.ctor]/5 no longer requires for `D` not to be a pointer type. I believe this restriction was accidently removed when we relaxed the completeness reuqirements on `T`. The restriction needs to be put back in. Otherwise we have a run time failure that could have been caught at compile time:

>     {
>     unique_ptr<int, void(*)(void*)> p1(malloc(sizeof(int)));  // should not compile
>     }  // p1.~unique_ptr() dereferences a null function pointer
>     unique_ptr<int, void(*)(void*)> p2(malloc(sizeof(int)), free);  // ok

[ Post Summit: ]

> Recommend Tentatively Ready.

[ 2009-07 Frankfurt ]

> Moved from Tentatively Ready to Open only because the wording needs to be improved for `enable_if` type constraining, possibly following Robert's formula.

[ 2009-07 Frankfurt: ]

> We need to consider whether some requirements in the Requires paragraphs of [unique.ptr] should instead be Remarks.

> Leave Open. Howard to provide wording, and possibly demonstrate how this can be implemented using enable_if.

[ 2009-07-27 Howard adds: ]

> The two constructors to which this issue applies are not easily constrained with `enable_if` as they are not templated:

> >     unique_ptr();
> >     explicit unique_ptr(pointer p);

> To "SFINAE" these constructors away would take heroic effort such as specializing the entire `unique_ptr` class template on pointer deleter types. There is insufficient motivation for such heroics. Here is the expected and reasonable implementation for these constructors:

> >     unique_ptr()
> >         : ptr_(pointer())
> >         {
> >             static_assert(!is_pointer<deleter_type>::value,
> >                 "unique_ptr constructed with null function pointer deleter");
> >         }
> >     explicit unique_ptr(pointer p)
> >         : ptr_(p)
> >         {
> >             static_assert(!is_pointer<deleter_type>::value,
> >                 "unique_ptr constructed with null function pointer deleter");
> >         }

> I.e. just use `static_assert` to verify that the constructor is not instantiated with a function pointer for a deleter. The compiler will automatically take care of issuing a diagnostic if the deleter is a reference type (uninitialized reference error).

> In keeping with our discussions in Frankfurt, I'm moving this requirement on the implementation from the Requires paragraph to a Remarks paragraph.

[ 2009-08-17 Daniel adds: ]

> It is insufficient to require a diagnostic. This doesn't imply an ill-formed program as of 3.17 [defns.diagnostic] (a typical alternative would be a compiler warning), but exactly that seems to be the intend. I suggest to use the following remark instead:

> > Remarks: The program shall be ill-formed if this constructor is instantiated when `D` is a pointer type or reference type.

> Via the general standard rules of 4.1 [intro.compliance] the "diagnostic required" is implied.

[ 2009-10 Santa Cruz: ]

> Moved to Ready.

[ 2010-03-14 Howard adds: ]

> We moved N3073 to the formal motions page in Pittsburgh which should obsolete this issue. I've moved this issue to NAD Editorial, solved by N3073.

Rationale:

Solved by N3073.

Proposed resolution:

Change the description of the default constructor in 20.11.1.3.2 [unique.ptr.single.ctor]:

>     unique_ptr();

> > -1- Requires: `D` shall be default constructible, and that construction shall not throw an exception. `D` shall not be a reference type or pointer type (diagnostic required).

> > ...

> > Remarks: The program shall be ill-formed if this constructor is instantiated when `D` is a pointer type or reference type.

Add after 20.11.1.3.2 [unique.ptr.single.ctor]/8:

>     unique_ptr(pointer p);

> > ...

> > Remarks: The program shall be ill-formed if this constructor is instantiated when `D` is a pointer type or reference type.