Re: Union type punning in C++

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From	Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com>
Newsgroups	comp.lang.c++
Subject	Re: Union type punning in C++
Date	Mon, 13 Jan 2020 08:57:04 -0800
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"Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> writes:

> On 1/12/2020 5:16 PM, James Kuyper wrote:
>
>> On 1/11/20 11:40 PM, Chris M. Thomasson wrote:
>>
>>> On 1/11/2020 7:28 AM, Tim Rentsch wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> writes:
>>
>> ...
>>
>>>>> #include <iostream>
>>>>>
>>>>> struct base
>>>>> {
>>>>>       int p0;
>>>>> };
>>>>>
>>>>> struct object_0
>>>>> {
>>>>>       base b;
>>>>>       int p0;
>>>>> };
>>>>>
>>>>> struct object_1
>>>>> {
>>>>>       base b;
>>>>>       int p0;
>>>>>       int p1;
>>>>> };
>>>>>
>>>>> union object
>>>>> {
>>>>>       base b;
>>>>>       object_0 o0;
>>>>>       object_1 o1;
>>>>> };
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> int main() {
>>>>>       object o;
>>>>>
>>>>>       o.b.p0 = 41;
>>>>>       o.o0.b.p0 += 1;
>>>>>       o.o1.b.p0 += 1;
>>>>>
>>>>>       // humm
>>>>>       int r = o.b.p0; // ub...
>>>>>
>>>>>       std::cout << "r = " << r << "\n";
>>>>>
>>>>>       return 0;
>>>>> }
>>>>> ___________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Wrt POD and a common base object on each sub-object in a union, well
>>>>> does it bite the dust with UB?
>>>>
>>>> I believe this runs afoul of the rules for common initial
>>>> sequences, because type 'base' has as its first member a type
>>>> that is not layout compatible with the type of the first members
>>>> of object_0 and object_1.
>>>
>>> Everything boils down to an int.  Therefore, the common initial sequence
>>> is an int.  It should work.  Its all POD, everything has that common int,
>>> even in struct base. ...
>>
>> In a standard-layout union with an active member (9.5) of struct type
>> T1, it is permitted to read a non-static data member m of another union
>> member of struct type T2 provided m is part of the common initial
>> sequence of T1 and T2."  (9.2p19).
>>
>> "The common initial sequence of two standard-layout struct (Clause 9)
>> types is the longest sequence of non-static data members and bit-fields
>> in declaration order, starting with the first such entity in each of the
>> structs, such that corresponding entities have layout-compatible types
>> and either neither entity is a bit-field or both are bit-fields with the
>> same width."  (9.2p16).  "common initial sequence" is italicized in that
>> text, an ISO convention identifying this sentence as the official
>> definition of that term.  Nothing in that definition allow you to match
>> up o.b.p0 with o.o0.b.p0 in order to qualify as having a common initial
>> sequence.  It's the corresponding members that have to have
>> layout-compatible types, and "struct base" and "int" don't.
>
> Damn.  Need to think on this.  what about something like:
> ________________
> struct object_0
> {
>     int b; // common initial sequence
>     int p0;
> };
>
> struct object_1
> {
>     int b;  // common initial sequence
>     int p0;
>     int p1;
> };
>
> union object
> {
>     int b;  // common initial sequence
>     object_0 o0;
>     object_1 o1;
> };
> ________________
>
> ? This gets rid of struct base.

The 'int b;' member of the union object isn't needed.  Simply do this:

    struct object_0 {
        int b;
        int p0;
    };

    struct object_1 {
        int b;
        int p0;
        int p1;
    };

    union object {
        object_0 o0;
        object_1 o1;
    };

To discriminate based on the "tag" field:

    object something = ...;

    if(  something.o0.b == 0  ){        // the access to o0.b has to work
        ...  // presumably o0 is the active member
    } else if(  something.o1.b == 1  ){ // the access to o1.b ALSO has to work
        ...  // presumably o1 is the active member
    }

Does that all make sense?

Thread

Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-01 19:24 +0000
  Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-02 09:36 +0000
  Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-02 03:34 -0800
    Re: Union type punning in C++ Bo Persson <bo@bo-persson.se> - 2020-01-02 12:49 +0100
      Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-02 04:52 -0800
        Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-02 17:22 +0000
          Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-02 10:26 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Chris Vine <chris@cvine--nospam--.freeserve.co.uk> - 2020-01-02 21:54 +0000
              Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-03 14:49 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-03 17:11 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Chris Vine <chris@cvine--nospam--.freeserve.co.uk> - 2020-01-03 17:55 +0000
            Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-03 09:55 +0000
              Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-03 11:20 +0100
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 02:21 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-03 14:55 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 16:04 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 14:45 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 01:26 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 16:55 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 01:02 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 17:06 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 07:34 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-03 16:12 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 08:49 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 19:28 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-03 18:54 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 01:25 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 00:28 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 01:41 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 00:52 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 08:08 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 08:34 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 08:43 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 08:20 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 09:25 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 08:25 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 09:25 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 08:27 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 09:36 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 08:41 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 09:49 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 09:01 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 10:02 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 09:19 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 10:38 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-04 12:45 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 12:00 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 13:03 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Bonita Montero <Bonita.Montero@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 14:22 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 14:46 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Keith Thompson <Keith.S.Thompson+u@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 10:32 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 10:43 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-03 18:55 +0000
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-08 09:40 -0800
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-08 13:23 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-08 22:41 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-08 22:52 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-09 12:59 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-09 13:32 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mister2U@honorific.org - 2020-01-10 12:28 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-10 14:02 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mister2U@honorific.org - 2020-01-10 16:21 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-10 19:18 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-10 15:41 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-11 12:01 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-11 07:05 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-11 23:53 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibble@i42.removethisbit.co.uk> - 2020-01-12 01:41 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Daniel <danielaparker@gmail.com> - 2020-01-11 19:00 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibble@i42.removethisbit.co.uk> - 2020-01-13 17:32 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mister2U@honorific.org - 2020-01-11 11:53 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-11 13:20 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mister2U@honorific.org - 2020-01-11 12:33 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-11 14:28 +0100
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Jorgen Grahn <grahn+nntp@snipabacken.se> - 2020-01-11 10:48 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Jorgen Grahn <grahn+nntp@snipabacken.se> - 2020-01-11 11:05 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mister2U@honorific.org - 2020-01-11 11:55 +0000
          Re: Union type punning in C++ Bo Persson <bo@bo-persson.se> - 2020-01-02 21:12 +0100
            Re: Union type punning in C++ boltar@nowhere.org - 2020-01-03 14:46 +0000
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Bo Persson <bo@bo-persson.se> - 2020-01-03 20:01 +0100
          Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-02 23:23 +0100
  Re: Union type punning in C++ peter koch <peter.koch.larsen@gmail.com> - 2020-01-02 12:39 -0800
  Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-02 15:39 -0800
    Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-02 16:58 -0800
      Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-02 17:55 -0800
        Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 00:40 -0800
          Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-03 14:04 +0000
            Re: Union type punning in C++ David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2020-01-03 15:24 +0100
              Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 14:34 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-03 22:59 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-04 00:11 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Melzzzzz <Melzzzzz@zzzzz.com> - 2020-01-04 00:21 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-04 00:26 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-04 16:51 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 18:47 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 19:07 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 06:47 -0800
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-03 14:57 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 07:38 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> - 2020-01-03 17:06 +0000
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 11:05 -0800
          Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-03 14:38 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-03 22:37 -0800
      Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-11 07:10 -0800
        Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-11 10:23 -0800
          Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-13 09:01 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-13 11:03 -0800
              Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-13 12:48 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-13 14:15 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-13 21:47 -0500
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-13 23:44 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-14 08:26 -0500
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-14 07:30 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-14 09:11 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-14 21:52 -0500
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-14 23:15 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-21 02:03 -0800
    Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-11 07:28 -0800
      Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-11 20:40 -0800
        Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-12 20:16 -0500
          Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-12 17:28 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-12 21:53 -0500
              Re: Union type punning in C++ Manfred <noname@add.invalid> - 2020-01-13 18:50 +0100
              Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-13 16:21 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-13 08:57 -0800
              Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-13 16:27 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-14 07:05 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-14 20:58 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-21 03:47 -0800
            Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-15 01:22 -0800
              Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-15 08:04 -0500
                Re: Union type punning in C++ Öö Tiib <ootiib@hot.ee> - 2020-01-15 09:38 -0800
                Re: Union type punning in C++ James Kuyper <jameskuyper@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2020-01-15 11:01 -0800
        Re: Union type punning in C++ Tim Rentsch <tr.17687@z991.linuxsc.com> - 2020-01-13 08:37 -0800
          Re: Union type punning in C++ "Chris M. Thomasson" <chris.m.thomasson.1@gmail.com> - 2020-01-13 16:29 -0800

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