Search code examples
c++c++11language-lawyermove-semanticsmove-constructor

Why is derived class move constructible when base class isn't?


Consider the following example:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <utility>

template <typename Base> struct Foo : public Base {
    using Base::Base;
};

struct Bar {
    Bar(const Bar&) { }
    Bar(Bar&&) = delete;
};

int main() {
    std::cout << std::is_move_constructible<Bar>::value << std::endl; // NO
    std::cout << std::is_move_constructible<Foo<Bar>>::value << std::endl; // YES. Why?!
}

Why does the compiler generate a move constructor despite the base class being non-move-constructible?

Is that in the standard or is it a compiler bug? Is it possible to "perfectly propagate" move construction from base to derived class?


Solution

  • Because:

    A defaulted move constructor that is defined as deleted is ignored by overload resolution.

    ([class.copy]/11)

    Bar's move constructor is explicitly deleted, so Bar cannot be moved. But Foo<Bar>'s move constructor is implicitly deleted after being implicitly declared as defaulted, due to the fact that the Bar member cannot be moved. Therefore Foo<Bar> can be moved using its copy constructor.

    Edit: Note that Foo<Bar> inherits the set of constructors Bar::Bar, including its copy and move constructors, Bar(const Bar&) and Bar(Bar&&). But Foo<Bar> also has its own, implicitly declared copy and move constructors, Foo<Bar>(const Foo<Bar>&) and Foo<Bar>(Foo<Bar>&&), the latter being ignored by overload resolution for the reasons described above. When attempting to move-construct a Foo<Bar> object, the implicitly declared copy constructor Foo<Bar>(const Foo<Bar>&) is the best match. The inherited constructors are ranked lower by overload resolution.