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### 2629. [filesys.ts] [PDTS] Unclear semantics of `read_symlink` on error

Section: 15.27 [filesys.ts::fs.op.read_symlink] Status: TS Submitter: GB-16 Opened: 2014-01-20 Last modified: 2017-07-30

Priority: Not Prioritized

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Discussion:

Addresses: filesys.ts

Unclear semantics of read_symlink on error: 15.27 [fs.op.read_symlink] has: Returns: If p resolves to a symbolic link, a path object containing the contents of that symbolic link. Otherwise path(). and also [Note: It is an error if p does not resolve to a symbolic link. -- end note]

I do not believe path() can be a valid return for the overload not taking error_code.

Strike "Otherwise `path()`."

[2014-02-09, Beman Dawes provides wording]

[2014-02-13 LWG/SG-3 Issaquah: Proposed wording accepted.]

Proposed resolution:

Change 15.27 [fs.op.read_symlink]:

> Returns: If `p` resolves to a symbolic link, a `path` object containing the contents of that symbolic link. Otherwise `path()`. The signature with argument `ec` returns `path()` if an error occurs.

> Throws: As specified in Error reporting. [Note: It is an error if `p` does not resolve to a symbolic link. — end note]