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When an Empty Destructor is Required -- Andreas Fertig

By Blog Staff | Jan 2, 2024 04:46 AM | Tags: None

me.pngIn my previous post, "Why you shouldn't provide an empty destructor," we discussed the importance of not providing an empty destructor in most cases. However, in this post, we'll explore a rare exception to this rule that arises when using the PImpl idiom to hide implementation details, specifically in situations where the unique_ptr encounters issues with incomplete types. Let's delve into this exception and learn when it's necessary to provide an empty destructor.

When an Empty Destructor is Required

by Andreas Fertig

From the article:

As you probably know from life, not only programming. There is no rule without an exception. Let's talk about the one case that requires an empty destructor (yes, I know it sounds silly). Suppose you have the following code:

In file included from <source>:2:
In file included from /opt/compiler-explorer/gcc-12.2.0/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/12.2.0/../../../../include/c++/12.2.0/memory:76:
/opt/compiler-explorer/gcc-12.2.0/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/12.2.0/../../../../include/c++/12.2.0/bits/unique_ptr.h:93:16: error: invalid application of 'sizeof' to an incomplete type 'Orange'
        static_assert(sizeof(_Tp)>0,
                      ^~~~~~~~~~~
/opt/compiler-explorer/gcc-12.2.0/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/12.2.0/../../../../include/c++/12.2.0/bits/unique_ptr.h:396:4: note: in instantiation of member function 'std::default_delete<Orange>::operator()' requested here
          get_deleter()(std::move(__ptr));
          ^
<source>:4:7: note: in instantiation of member function 'std::unique_ptr<Orange>::~unique_ptr' requested here
class Apple
      ^
<source>:6:27: note: forward declaration of 'Orange'
    std::unique_ptr<class Orange> mOrange{};
                          ^
1 error generated.
Compiler returned: 1
 
Essentially, this message tells you that the std::unique_ptr cannot instantiate the required destructor for itself typed with Orange. The simple reason is that, at this point, Orange has no visible destructor. Which is the entire point of the PImpl idiom. What now?

Boost 1.84.0 has been released

By Blog Staff | Dec 28, 2023 01:26 PM | Tags: None

space.pngspace.pnggetboost.pngRelease 1.84.0 of the Boost C++ Libraries is now available.

These open-source libraries work well with the C++ Standard Library, and are usable across a broad spectrum of applications. The Boost license encourages both commercial and non-commercial use.

Release 1.84.0 contains two new libraries and numerous enhancements and bug fixes for existing libraries.

New Libraries

  • Cobalt: Basic algorithms and types for C++20 coroutines, from Klemens Morgenstern.
  • Redis: Redis async client library built on top of Boost.Asio, from Marcelo Zimbres Silva.

Here are some useful links for 1.84.0.


Marshall Clow and Glen Fernandes managed this release - we very much appreciate their continued hard work!

C++20, Spans, Threads and Fun -- Bartlomiej Filipek

By Blog Staff | Dec 27, 2023 04:28 PM | Tags: None

C++20_Spans_Threads_and_Fun.pngIn this post, we’ll have fun using C++20’s spans to process data on multiple threads. What’s more, we’ll be equipped with the latest concurrency features from C++20.

C++20, Spans, Threads and Fun

by Bartlomiej Filipek

From the article:

Our task is relatively simple but can be extended to various multi-phase computations.

We need to initialize a container with numbers, filter them, then build a histogram.

Here’s the overview of the process:

CLion Nova Explodes onto the C and C++ Development Scene -- Anastasia Kazakova

By Blog Staff | Dec 22, 2023 04:28 PM | Tags: None

clionnova.pngWe’re announcing a free early preview of CLion, which uses the ReSharper C++/Rider C++ language engine instead of the CLion "legacy" engine. The Preview build is available via our dedicated Toolbox App feed. At some point in 2024, depending on the results of the feedback collected, CLion Nova will be merged into CLion. Until then, the Preview build will be free to use and can be installed in parallel with your usual CLion (Classic) installation.

CLion Nova Explodes onto the C and C++ Development Scene

by Anastasia Kazakova

From the article:

The first C++ engine by JetBrains was designed for AppCode, our IDE for iOS and macOS developers. It was part of the IntelliJ Platform, initially written in Java and later also in Kotlin. The approach and the architecture of the engine serve many languages in IntelliJ-based IDEs well; however, this design turned out not to be the best fit for the C++ language specifically.

To more quickly align with the evolution of C++ and to separate the engine and IDE processes, a clangd-based engine was later added to CLion. Built on our custom branch of clangd, this engine detects any warnings and errors, shows them in the editor, and suggests quick-fixes, as well as performing highlighting, completion, and certain navigation actions. It’s also used for things like data flow analysis and MISRA checks. Meanwhile, CLion’s “legacy” engine is responsible for other code insight features like refactorings. You can see a detailed “list of responsibilities” in our CLion documentation.

How Can I Prevent Myself From Using a Parameter After I’ve Extracted All Value? -- Raymond Chen

By Blog Staff | Dec 18, 2023 04:27 PM | Tags: None

Imagine you have a function parameter that you want to protect from direct access, ensuring that all future interactions occur through a wrapper or transformation. This situation often arises in scenarios like implementing a logging wrapper for a class. In this discussion, we'll explore a clever technique known as "hide_name" to achieve this goal, allowing you to enforce the use of the wrapper and prevent direct access to the parameter.

How Can I Prevent Myself From Using a Parameter After I’ve Extracted All Value From It?

By Raymond Chen

From the article:

Suppose you have a function that takes a parameter that you want to transform in some way, and you want to require that all future access to the parameter be done through the transformed version. One example is a wrapper class that does logging.¹

struct WidgetRefWrapper
{
    WidgetRefWrapper(
        Widget& widget,
        Logger& logger) :
    m_widget(widget), m_logger(logger) {}
    
    void Toggle() try
    {
        m_logger.Log("Toggling the widget");
        m_widget.Toggle();
        m_logger.Log("Toggled the widget");
    } catch (...) {
        m_logger.Log("Exception while toggling the widget");
        throw;
    }

private:
    Widget& m_widget;
    Logger& m_logger;
};

void DoSomething(Widget& widget)
{
    Logger& logger = GetCurrentLogger();
    WidgetWrapper wrapper(widget, logger);

    // Do not use the widget directly!
    // Always use the wrapper!

    if (needs_toggling) {
        wrapper.Toggle();
    }
}

You want that “Do not use the widget directly!” comment to have some teeth. Can you “poison” the widget parameter so it cannot be used any more?

Striving For Better C++ Code, Part I: Data Flow Analysis Basics -- Anastasia Kazakova

By Blog Staff | Dec 11, 2023 04:28 PM | Tags: None

Anastasia-200x200.jpgWe’ll look at the basics of data flow analysis, including how it works in general, while presenting several real-world examples where it can help you write better code.

Striving For Better C++ Code, Part I: Data Flow Analysis Basics

by Anastasia Kazakova

From the article:

All data flow inspections rely on the control-flow graph. This is a graph on which vertices are the statements in the program and edges are the control flow jumps between these statements (direct code execution, conditional jumps, loops, breaks, gotos, etc.).

For example, the control-flow graph at the right represents the function foo on the left:

basic_sample_scheme.png