# Fixes for optional objects

ISO/IEC JTC1 SC22 WG21 N4078 2014-06-20

Project: Programming Language C++, fundamentals-ts

## Introduction

This document proposes a number of wording fixes, as suggested in Issaquah meeting, to optional objects proposed in N3793. In addition, this document includes the feature additions from N3982 and the review feedback from the LWG sessions in the Rapperswil 2014 meeting.

- Got rid of terms 'engaged' and 'disengaged'; now using term 'contains a value' instead.
- Using term 'direct-non-list-initialization'; it was missing in a number of places.
- Now using alias template `decay_t` in place of the old type trait.
- Changed the conditions under which function `value_or` shall be `costexpr`.
- Fixed spelling and grammar mistakes.
- Rvalue reference overloads now return prvalues rather than xvalues (T rather than T&&).
- Rvalue reference overloads for const T&& added.
- Review corrections based on LWG review.

## Table of contents

1. Introduction
2. Table of contents
3. Proposed wording
4. Acknowledgements

## Proposed wording

The insertions and deletions in this section describe the changes to Fundamentals TS after applying the changes from N3793. In other words, the changes are relative to N3793.

Change [optional.synop]:

>         // 5.4.5, observers
>         constexpr T const* operator ->() const;
>         constexpr T* operator ->();
>         constexpr T const& operator *() const&;
>         constexpr T& operator *() &;
>         constexpr T operator *() &&;
>         constexpr T operator *() const&&;
>         constexpr explicit operator bool() const noexcept;
>         constexpr T const& value() const&;
>         constexpr T& value() &;
>         constexpr T value() &&;
>         constexpr T value() const&&;
>         template <class U> constexpr T value_or(U&&) const&;
>         template <class U> constexpr T value_or(U&&) &&;

>       // 5.5, In-place construction
>       struct in_place_t{};
>       constexpr in_place_t in_place{};

>       // 5.6, DisengagedNo-value state indicator
>       struct nullopt_t{see below};
>       constexpr nullopt_t nullopt(unspecified);

>       // 5.7, class bad_optional_access
>       class bad_optional_access;

>       private:
>         bool init; // exposition only
>         T*   val;  // exposition only
>       };

Replace [optional.object], para 1 and 2 with the following

> Any instance of `optional<T>` at any given time either contains a value or does not contain a value. When an instance of `optional<T>` contains a value, it means that an object of type `T`, referred to as the optional object's contained value, is allocated within the storage of the optional object. Implementations are not permitted to use additional storage, such as dynamic memory, to allocate its contained value. The contained value shall be allocated in a region of the `optional<T>` storage suitably aligned for the type `T`. When an object of type `optional<T>` is contextually converted to `bool`, the conversion returns `true` if the object contains a value; otherwise the conversion returns `false`.

> Member `val` is provided for exposition only. When an `optional<T>` object contains a value, `val` points to the contained value.

Change [optional.object] subclauses as follows:

> ##### 5.4.1 Constructors [optional.object.ctor]

> `constexpr optional() noexcept;`
> `constexpr optional(nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is disengaged`*this does not contain a value`.

> Remarks:

>   No contained value is initialized. For every object type `T`, these constructors shall be `constexpr` constructors (C++11 §7.1.5).

> `optional(const optional<T>& rhs);`

> Requires:

>   `is_copy_constructible<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   If `rhs` is engaged contains a value, initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `*rhs`.

> Postconditions:

>   `bool(rhs) == bool(*this)`.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> `optional(optional<T> && rhs) noexcept(see below);`

> Requires:

>   `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   If `rhs` is engaged contains a value, initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `std::move(*rhs)`. `bool(rhs)` is unchanged.

> Postconditions:

>   `bool(rhs) == bool(*this)`.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   The expression inside `noexcept` is equivalent to:

>       is_nothrow_move_constructible<T>::value

> `constexpr optional(const T& v);`

> Requires:

>   `is_copy_constructible<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `v`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   If `T`'s selected constructor is a `constexpr` constructor, this constructor shall be a `constexpr` constructor.

> `constexpr optional(T&& v);`

> Requires:

>   `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `std::move(v)`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   If `T`'s selected constructor is a `constexpr` constructor, this constructor shall be a `constexpr` constructor.

> `template <class... Args> constexpr explicit optional(in_place_t, Args&&... args);`

> Requires:

>   `is_constructible<T, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the arguments `std::forward<Args>(args)...`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   If `T`'s constructor selected for the initialization is a `constexpr` constructor, this constructor shall be a `constexpr` constructor.

> `template <class U, class... Args>
> constexpr explicit optional(in_place_t, initializer_list<U> il, Args&&... args);`

> Requires:

>   `is_constructible<T, initializer_list<U>&, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the arguments `il, std::forward<Args>(args)...`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   The function shall not participate in overload resolution unless `is_constructible<T, initializer_list<U>&, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> Remarks:

>   If `T`'s constructor selected for the initialization is a `constexpr` constructor, this constructor shall be a `constexpr` constructor.

> ##### 5.4.2 Destructor [optional.object.dtor]

> `~optional();`

> Effects:

>   If `is_trivially_destructible<T>::value != true` and `*this` is engaged contains a value, calls `val->T::~T()`.

> Remarks:

>   If `is_trivially_destructible<T>::value == true` then this destructor shall be a trivial destructor.

> ##### 5.4.3 Assignment [optional.object.assign]

> `optional<T>& operator=(nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Effects:

>   If `*this` is engaged contains a value, calls `val->T::~T()` to destroy the contained value; otherwise no effect.

> Returns:

>   `*this`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is disengaged does not contain a value.

> `optional<T>& optional<T>::operator=(const optional<T>& rhs);`

> Requires:

>   `is_copy_constructible<T>::value` is `true` and `is_copy_assignable<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

> | `*this` contains a value | `*this` does not contain a value
> --- | --- | ---
> `rhs` contains a value | assigns `*rhs` to the contained value | initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with `*rhs`
> `rhs` does not contain a value | destroys the contained value by calling `val->T::~T()` | no effect

>   - If `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is disengaged, no effect, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is engaged and `rhs` is disengaged, destroys the contained value by calling `val->T::~T()`, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is engaged, initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with `*rhs`, otherwise
>   - (if both `*this` and `rhs` are engaged) assigns `*rhs` to the contained value.
> Returns:

>   `*this`.

> Postconditions:

>   `bool(rhs) == bool(*this)`.

> Remarks: Exception Safety:

>   If any exception is thrown, the result of the expressionvalues `bool(*this)` of `init` and `rhs.init` remains unchanged. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s copy constructor, no effect. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s copy assignment, the state of its contained value is as defined by the exception safety guarantee of `T`'s copy assignment.

> `optional<T>& optional<T>::operator=(optional<T>&& rhs) noexcept(see below);`

> Requires:

>   `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `true` and `is_move_assignable<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   The result of the expression `bool(rhs)` remains unchanged.

> | `*this` contains a value | `*this` does not contain a value
> --- | --- | ---
> `rhs` contains a value | assigns `move(*rhs)` to the contained value | initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with `move(*rhs)`
> `rhs` does not contain a value | destroys the contained value by calling `val->T::~T()` | no effect

>   - If `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is disengaged, no effect, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is engaged and `rhs` is disengaged, destroys the contained value by calling `val->T::~T()`, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is engaged, initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with `std::move(*rhs)`, otherwise
>   - (if both `*this` and `rhs` are engaged) assigns `std::move(*rhs)` to the contained value.
> Returns:

>   `*this`.

> Postconditions:

>   `bool(rhs) == bool(*this)`.

> Remarks:

>   The expression inside `noexcept` is equivalent to:

>       is_nothrow_move_assignable<T>::value && is_nothrow_move_constructible<T>::value

> Exception Safety:

>   If any exception is thrown, the result of the expressionvalues `bool(*this)` of `init` and `rhs.init` remains unchanged. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s move constructor, the state of `*rhs.val` is determined by theexception safety guarantee of `T`'s move constructor. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s move assignment, the state of `*val` and `*rhs.val` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of `T`'s move assignment.

> `template <class U> optional<T>& optional<T>::operator=(U&& v);`

> Requires:

>   `is_constructible<T, U>::value` is `true` and `is_assignable<T&, U>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   If `*this` is engaged contains a value, assigns `std::forward<U>(v)` to the contained value; otherwise initializes the contained value as if direct-non-list-initializing object of type `T` with `std::forward<U>(v)`.

> Returns:

>   `*this`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Remarks: Exception Safety:

>   If any exception is thrown, the result of the expressionvalue `bool(*this)`of `init` remains unchanged. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, the state of `v` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of `T`'s constructor. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s assignment, the state of `*val` and `v` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of `T`'s assignment.

> Remarks:

>   The function shall not participate in overload resolution unless `is_same<typename decay<U>::typedecay_t<U>, T>::value` is `true`.

> [Note: The reason to provide such generic assignment and then constraining it so that effectively `T` == `U` is to guarantee that assignment of the form `o = {}` is unambiguous. —end note]

> `template <class... Args> void optional<T>::emplace(Args&&... args);`

> Requires:

>   `is_constructible<T, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Calls `*this = nullopt`. Then initializes the contained value as if constructingdirect-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the arguments `std::forward<Args>(args)...`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks: Exception Safety:

>   If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, `*this` is disengageddoes not contain a value, and the previous `*val` (if any) has been destroyed.

> `template <class U, class... Args> void optional<T>::emplace(initializer_list<U> il, Args&&... args);`

> Requires:

>   `is_constructible<T, initializer_list<U>&, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

>   Calls `*this = nullopt`. Then initializes the contained value as if constructingdirect-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the arguments `il, std::forward<Args>(args)...`.

> Postconditions:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks: Exception Safety:

>   If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, `*this` is disengageddoes not contain a value, and the previous `*val` (if any) has been destroyed.

> Remarks:

>   The function shall not participate in overload resolution unless `is_constructible<T, initializer_list<U>&, Args&&...>::value` is `true`.

> ##### 5.4.4 Swap [optional.object.swap]

> `void optional<T>::swap(optional<T>& rhs) noexcept(see below);`

> Requires:
> LVvalues of type T`T` shall be swappable and `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects:

> | `*this` contains a value | `*this` does not contain a value
> --- | --- | ---
> `rhs` contains a value | calls `swap(*(*this), *rhs)` | initializes the contained value of `*this` as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `std::move(*rhs)`, followed by `rhs.val->T::~T()`; postcondition is that `*this` contains a value and `rhs` does not contain a value
> `rhs` does not contain a value | initializes the contained value of `rhs` as if direct-non-list-initializing an object of type `T` with the expression `std::move(*(*this))`, followed by `val->T::~T()`; postcondition is that `*this` does not contain a value and `rhs` contains a value | no effect

>   - If `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is disengaged, no effect, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is engaged and `rhs` is disengaged, initializes the contained value of `rhs` by direct-initialization with `std::move(*(*this))`, followed by `val->T::~T(), swap(init, rhs.init)`, otherwise
>   - if `*this` is disengaged and `rhs` is engaged, initializes the contained value of `*this` by direct-initialization with `std::move(*rhs)`, followed by `rhs.val->T::~T(), swap(init, rhs.init)`
>   - (if both `*this` and `rhs` are engaged) calls `swap(*(*this), *rhs)`.
> Throws:

>   Any exceptions that the expressions in the Effects elementclause throw.

> Remarks:

>   The expression inside `noexcept` is equivalent to:

>       is_nothrow_move_constructible<T>::value && noexcept(swap(declval<T&>(), declval<T&>()))

> Exception Safety:

>   If any exception is thrown, the results of the expressions values of `init` and `rhs.init` `bool(*this)` and `bool(rhs)` remain unchanged. If an exception is thrown during the call to function `swap` the state of `*val` and `*rhs.val` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of `swap` for lvalues of `T`. If an exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s move constructor, the state of `*val` and `*rhs.val` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of `T`'s move constructor.

> ##### 5.4.5 Observers [optional.object.observe]

> `constexpr T const* operator->() const;
> constexpr T* operator->();`

> Requires:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value.

> Returns:

>   `val`.

> Throws:

>   Nothing.

> Remarks:

>   Unless `T` is a user-defined type with overloaded unary `operator&`, the first functionthese functions shall be a `constexpr` functions.

> `constexpr T const& operator*() const&;
> constexpr T& operator*() &;`

> Requires:

>   `*this` is engaged contains a value

> Returns:

>   `*val`.

> Throws:

>   Nothing.

> Remarks:

>   The first functionThese functions shall be a `constexpr` functions.

> `constexpr T operator*() &&;
> constexpr T operator*() const&&;`

> Requires:

>   `*this` contains a value

> Effects:

>   equivalent to `return std::move(*val);`

> Remarks:

>   if `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `false`, the program is ill-formed.

> `constexpr explicit operator bool() noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `init` `true` if and only if `*this` contains a value.

> Remarks:

>   This function shall be a `constexpr` function.

> `constexpr T const& value() const&;
> constexpr T& value() &;`

> Effects:

>   equivalent to `return bool(*this) ? *val : throw bad_optional_access();`

> Returns:

>   `*val`, if `bool(*this)`.

> Throws:

>   `bad_optional_access` if `!*this`.

> Remarks:

>   The first function shall be a `constexpr` function.

> `constexpr T value() &&;
> constexpr T value() const&&`

> Effects:

>   equivalent to `return bool(*this) ? std::move(*val) : throw bad_optional_access();`

> Remarks:

>   If `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `false`, the program is ill-formed.

> `template <class U> constexpr T value_or(U&& v) const&;`

> Requires:

>   `is_copy_constructible<T>::value` is `true` and `is_convertible<U&&, T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects: Returns:

>   equivalent to `return bool(*this) ? *val : static_cast<T>(std::forward<U>(v))`.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Exception Safety:

>   If `init == true` and exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, the value of `init` and `v` remains unchanged and the state of `*val` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of the selected constructor of `T`. Otherwise, when exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, the value of `*this` remains unchanged and the state of `v` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   If both constructors of `T` which could be selected are `constexpr` constructors, this function shall be a `constexpr` function.

> Remarks:

>   If `is_copy_constructible<T>::value && is_convertible<U&&, T>::value` is `false`, the program is ill-formed.

> `template <class U> constexpr T value_or(U&& v) &&;`

> Requires:

>   `is_move_constructible<T>::value` is `true` and `is_convertible<U&&, T>::value` is `true`.

> Effects: Returns:

>   equivalent to `return bool(*this) ? std::move(*val) : static_cast<T>(std::forward<U>(v))`.

> Throws:

>   Any exception thrown by the selected constructor of `T`.

> Exception Safety:

>   If `init == true` and exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, the value of `init` and `v` remains unchanged and the state of `*val` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of the `T`'s constructor. Otherwise, when exception is thrown during the call to `T`'s constructor, the value of `*this` remains unchanged and the state of `v` is determined by the exception safety guarantee of the selected constructor of `T`.

> Remarks:

>   If `is_move_constructible<T>::value && is_convertible<U&&, T>::value` is `false`, the program is ill-formed.

> #### 5.5 In-place construction [optional.inplace]

> `struct in_place_t{};
> constexpr in_place_t in_place{};`

> The struct `in_place_t` is an empty structure type used as a unique type to disambiguate constructor and function overloading. Specifically, `optional<T>` has a constructor with `in_place_t` as the first parameterargument followed by a parameteran argument pack; this indicates that `T` should be constructed in-place (as if by a call to a placement new expression) with the forwarded pack expansionargument pack as arguments for the initialization of `T`parameters.

> #### 5.6 DisengagedNo-value state indicator [optional.nullopt]

> `struct nullopt_t{see below};
> constexpr nullopt_t nullopt(unspecified);`

> The struct `nullopt_t` is an empty structure type used as a unique type to indicate a disengaged statethe state of not containing a value for `optional` objects. In particular, `optional<T>` has a constructor with `nullopt_t` as a single argument; this indicates that an disengaged optional object not containing a value shall be constructed.

> Type `nullopt_t` shall not have a default constructor. It shall be a literal type. Constant `nullopt` shall be initialized with an argument of literal type.

> #### 5.7 Class `bad_optional_access` [optional.bad_optional_access]

>     namespace std {
>       class bad_optional_access : public logic_error {
>       public:
>         explicit bad_optional_access(const string& what_arg);
>         explicit bad_optional_access(const char* what_arg);
>         bad_optional_access();
>       };
>     }

> The class `bad_optional_access` defines the type of objects thrown as exceptions to report the situation where an attempt is made to access the value of an disengaged optional object that does not contain a value.

> `bad_optional_access();`

> Effects:

>   Constructs an object of class `bad_optional_access`.

> Postcondition:

>   `what()` returns an implementation-defined NTBS.

> `bad_optional_access(const string& what_arg);`

> Effects:

>   Constructs an object of class `bad_optional_access`.

> Postcondition:

>   `strcmp(what(), what_arg.c_str()) == 0`.

> `bad_optional_access(const char* what_arg);`

> Effects:

>   Constructs an object of class `bad_optional_access`.

> Postcondition:

>   `strcmp(what(), what_arg) == 0`.

Change [optional.relops] as follows:

> #### 5.8 Relational operators [optional.relops]

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator==(const optional<T>& x, const optional<T>& y);`

> Requires:

>   `T` shall meet the requirements of `EqualityComparable`.

> Returns:

>   If `bool(x) != bool(y)`, `false`; otherwise if `bool(x) == false`, `true`; otherwise `*x == *y`.

> Remarks:

>   InstantiationsSpecializations of this function template, for which `*x == *y` is a core constant expression, shall be `constexpr` functions.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator!=(const optional<T>& x, const optional<T>& y);`

> Returns:

>   `!(x == y)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator<(const optional<T>& x, const optional<T>& y);`

> Requires:

>   Expression `*x < *y` shall be well-formed and its result shall be convertible to `bool`.

> Returns:

>   If `(!y)`, `false`; otherwise, if `(!x)`, `true`; otherwise `*x < *y`.

> Remarks:

>   InstantiationsSpecializations of this function template, for which expression `*x < *y` is a core constant expression, shall be `constexpr` functions.

Change [optional.nullops] as follows:

> #### 5.9 Comparison with `nullopt` [optional.nullops]

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator==(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;
> template <class T> constexpr bool operator==(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `(!x)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator!=(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;
> template <class T> constexpr bool operator!=(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `bool(x)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator<(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `false`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator<(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `bool(x)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator<=(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `(!x)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator<=(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `true`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator>(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `bool(x)`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator>(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `false`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator>=(const optional<T>& x, nullopt_t) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `true`.

> `template <class T> constexpr bool operator>=(nullopt_t, const optional<T>& x) noexcept;`

> Returns:

>   `(!x)`.

## Acknowledgements

Jonathan Wakely reviewed the proposal and offered useful suggestions.

Daniel Krügler provided numerous helpful suggestions, corrections and comments on this proposal; in particular he suggested the addition of and reference implementation for "perfect initialization" operations.

Many people from the Boost community, participated in the developement of the Boost.Optional library. Sebastian Redl suggested the usage of function `emplace`.

Tony Van Eerd offered many useful suggestions and corrections to the proposal.

People in discussion group "ISO C++ Standard - Future Proposals" provided numerous insightful suggestions: Vladimir Batov (who described and supported the perfect forwarding constructor), Nevin Liber, Ville Voutilainen, Richard Smiths, Dave Abrahams, Chris Jefferson, Jeffrey Yasskin, Nikolay Ivchenkov, Matias Capeletto, Olaf van der Spek, Vincent Jacquet, Kazutoshi Satoda, Vicente J. Botet Escriba, Róbert Dávid, Vincent Jacquet, Luc Danton, Greg Marr, and many more.

Joe Gottman suggested the support for hashing some optional objects.

Nicol Bolas suggested to make `operator->` conditionally `constexpr` based on whether `T::operator&` is overloaded.