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c++templatestemplate-meta-programmingdecltype

Is c++ conformance use decltype to help on template deduction?


Given this two function:

template <typename T> void Print1( const T& aValue, const T& aDefaultValue )
{
    if( aValue != aDefaultValue ) std::cout << aValue << std::endl;
}

template <typename T> void Print2( const T& aValue, const decltype(aValue)& aDefaultValue )
{
    Print1<T>( aValue, aDefaultValue );
}

I see that almost in gcc 9 type deduction works always on Print2 but not on Print1

unsigned int i = 0;
Print1( i, 0 ); // dont work (cant do type deduction)
Print2( i, 0 ); // work

Is this decltype technique c++ conformance and why?


Solution

  • From template_argument_deduction, in non-deduced contexts:

    In the following cases, the types, templates, and non-type values that are used to compose P do not participate in template argument deduction

    [..]

    2) The expression of a decltype-specifier:

    So in

    template <typename T> void Print2(const T& aValue, const decltype(aValue)& aDefaultValue)
    

    type of aDefaultValue is non deducible. T is only deduced from aValue.

    In C++20, alternative is to use std::type_identity:

    template <typename T>
    void Print2(const T& aValue, std::type_identity_t<const T&> aDefaultValue);