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### 3422. Issues of `seed_seq`'s constructors

Section: 28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq] Status: WP Submitter: Jiang An Opened: 2020-03-25 Last modified: 2021-10-14

Priority: 3

View all other issues in [rand.util.seedseq].

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Discussion:

28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq] says that `std::seed_seq` has following 3 constructors:

1. #1: `seed_seq()`

2. #2: `template<class T> seed_seq(initializer_list<T> il)`

3. #3: `template<class InputIterator> seed_seq(InputIterator begin, InputIterator end)`

The default constructor (#1) has no precondition and does not throw, and `vector<result_type>`'s default constructor is already `noexcept` since C++17, so #1 should also be `noexcept`.

Despite that the `vector<result_type>` member is exposition-only, current implementations (at least libc++, libstdc++ and MSVC STL) all hold it as the only data member of `seed_seq`, even with different names. And #1 is already `noexcept` in libc++ and libstdc++.

These constructors are not constrained, so #3 would never be matched in list-initialization. Consider following code:

>     #include <random>
>     #include <vector>

>     int main()
>     {
>       std::vector<int> v(32);
>       std::seed_seq{std::begin(v), std::end(v)}; // error: #2 matched and T is not an integer type
>       std::seed_seq(std::begin(v), std::end(v)); // OK
>     }

#3 should be made available in list-initialization by changing Mandates in 28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq]/3 to Constraints IMO.

[2020-04-18 Issue Prioritization]

Priority to 3 after reflector discussion.

[2021-06-23; Reflector poll]

Set status to Tentatively Ready after five votes in favour during reflector poll.

[2021-10-14 Approved at October 2021 virtual plenary. Status changed: Voting → WP.]

Proposed resolution:

This wording is relative to N4861.

1. Modify 28.5.8.1 [rand.util.seedseq] as indicated:

   >     class seed_seq {
   >     public:
   >       // types
   >       using result_type = uint_least32_t;

   >       // constructors
   >       seed_seq() noexcept;
   >       […]
   >     };

   >     seed_seq() noexcept;

   > > -1- Postconditions: `v.empty()` is `true`.

   > > -2- Throws: Nothing.

   >     template<class T>
   >       seed_seq(initializer_list<T> il);

   > > -3- Constraints Mandates: `T` is an integer type.

   > > -4- Effects: Same as `seed_seq(il.begin(), il.end())`.