mardi 6 novembre 2018

Function template deduction l-value reference and universal reference

Let's say I have the function copy:

template <typename Buf>
void copy(
    Buf&& input_buffer,
    Buf& output_buffer) 
{}

In which input_buffer is a universal reference and output_buffer is an l-value reference.

Reference collapsing rules make sure input_buffer is indeed, regardless of the deduced type of Buf, an universal reference and output_buffer is indeed an l-value reference.

However, I wonder how type Buf is deduced here.

I found out that copy is passed an r-value as input_buffer, (and an l-value as output_buffer, obviously) Buf is a non-reference type.

If I were to pass two l-values however, the program does not compile:

int i = 4;
int j = 6;

_copy(i, j);

I would expect the compiler to deduce Buf to int&. Following the reference collapsing rules, I would expect input_buffer to become an l-value reference, that is, & + && -> &, and output_buffer to become an l-value reference too; & + & -> &.

So the question is: Why doesn't this code compile?

(Note: I am not necessarily asking for a solution to the problem, but for an explanation.)

If I need to elaborate, feel free to ask.

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