C++23’s new function syntax

We’ve had a couple of ways to spell functions for a long time: And we’ve had a shortcut for that second one for a while, too: (Aside: notice where [[nodiscard]] is positioned, since C++23’s P2173, to apply to the lambda’s call operator.) All these ways to spell functions look the same at the call site.… Continue reading C++23’s new function syntax

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constexpr Function Parameters

The Set-up In C++, this doesn’t work: The compiler complains, quite rightly: Despite the fact that twice_square is a constexpr function, its parameter x is not constexpr. We can’t use it in a static_assert, we can’t pass it to a template, we can’t call an immediate (consteval) function with it. So far, so well known.… Continue reading constexpr Function Parameters

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Familiar Template Syntax IILEs

A lot has already been said in the blogosphere about the use of immediately-invoked lambda expressions (IILEs) for initialization, and they’re certainly very useful. In C++20, P0428 gives us “familiar template syntax” for lambdas. Now, instead of writing a regular generic lambda: auto add = [] (auto x, auto y) { return x + y;… Continue reading Familiar Template Syntax IILEs

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Remember the Vasa! or, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose

I’ve been programming in C++ for almost a quarter of a century now. I grew up, professionally, with C++, and in many ways, it grew up along with me. For someone who is used to C++, even used to recently-standardised C++, it’s hard not to feel apprehension when looking at C++20. Modules, coroutines, ranges, concepts… Continue reading Remember the Vasa! or, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose

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Thoughts on Modern C++ and Game Dev

TL;DR: The C++ committee isn’t following some sort of agenda to ignore the needs of game programmers, and “modern” C++ isn’t going to become undebuggable. — Over the past week there has been an ongoing conversation on Twitter about how many people — especially those in the games industry — feel that the current direction… Continue reading Thoughts on Modern C++ and Game Dev

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Pointer-to-member-functions can be tricky

Note: the following applies to Microsoft’s compiler only — not to GCC or Clang. Pointers-to-member-functions (PMFs) are a bit off the beaten track in C++. They aren’t very syntactically pleasing, and they aren’t as easy to deal with as regular pointers-to-free-functions (PFFs). But they still see use, particularly in pre-C++11 codebases or where people choose… Continue reading Pointer-to-member-functions can be tricky

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C++Now 2018 Trip Report

Last week, a little fewer than 150 C++ programmers gathered in Aspen, CO for C++Now 2018. This year the conference was scheduled before Mother’s Day, so with it being quite a bit earlier than usual, I was half-expecting snow and travel delays. In fact last week turned out to be uniformly lovely, for the most… Continue reading C++Now 2018 Trip Report

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10 Non-C++ Book Recommendations for C++ Programmers

So you’ve learned enough C++ to function. You’ve read a bunch of the usual recommendations: Meyers, Stroustrup, maybe even Alexandrescu and Stepanov. You know enough to recommend Lippman et al. to newbies rather than the other “C++ Primer.” The internet has lots of C++-related book recommendations to make — for example, you should absolutely read… Continue reading 10 Non-C++ Book Recommendations for C++ Programmers

CppCon 2017 Trip Report

Last week in Bellevue, WA, around 1100 C++ programmers got together for CppCon. I love this conference – it’s a chance to meet up with my existing C++ community friends and make new ones, to learn new techniques and explore parts of C++, and to get excited about where C++ is headed in the next… Continue reading CppCon 2017 Trip Report

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