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4061. Should std::basic_format_context be default-constructible/copyable/movable?

Section: 28.5.6.7 [format.context] Status: WP Submitter: Jiang An Opened: 2024-03-24 Last modified: 2024-07-08

Priority: Not Prioritized

View all other issues in [format.context].

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Discussion:

Per 28.5.6.7 [format.context], it seems that std::basic_format_context has a default constructor that is effectively defaulted, which means that it is default constructible if and only if OutIt is default constructible. Currently only libstdc++ makes it conditionally default constructible, while libc++ and MSVC STL (together with fmtlib) make it never default constructible.

It seems that basic_format_context objects are supposed to be created by the implementation in some internal way, and user codes are only supposed to modify existing basic_format_context objects during formatting.

[2024-05-08; Reflector poll]

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

[St. Louis 2024-06-29; Status changed: Voting → WP.]

Proposed resolution:

This wording is relative to N4971.

1. Modify 28.5.6.7 [format.context] as indicated:

   namespace std {
     template<class Out, class charT>
     class basic_format_context {
       basic_format_args<basic_format_context> args_; // exposition only
       Out out_;                                      // exposition only
   
       basic_format_context(const basic_format_context&) = delete;
       basic_format_context& operator=(const basic_format_context&) = delete;
     public:
       using iterator = Out;
       using char_type = charT;
       template<class T> using formatter_type = formatter<T, charT>;
       
       basic_format_arg<basic_format_context> arg(size_t id) const noexcept;
       std::locale locale();
       
       iterator out();
       void advance_to(iterator it);
     };
   }