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Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour.

From "Alf P. Steinbach" <alf.p.steinbach+usenet@gmail.com>
Newsgroups comp.lang.c++
Subject Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour.
Date 2012-01-15 09:29 +0100
Organization A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID <jeu2op$ete$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References <c72dnSYot-_4l4_SnZ2dnUVZ8o-dnZ2d@giganews.com>

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On 15.01.2012 00:06, Leigh Johnston wrote:
>  From n3242, 10.4./6:
> "Member functions can be called from a constructor (or destructor) of an
> abstract class; the effect of making a
> virtual call (10.3) to a pure virtual function directly or indirectly
> for the object being created (or destroyed)
> from such a constructor (or destructor) is undefined."
>
> Does anyone know the rationale for why the above is UB?
>
> For the newbies reading this: it *is* possible in C++ for a pure virtual
> function to have a definition.
>
> I think it might be an omission from the standard: whilst calling a pure
> virtual function *without a* definition is UB I can see no reason why
> calling a pure virtual function *with a* definition from a ctor/dtor
> should be UB.

The implementation can only be called by explicit qualification.

Its only connection to the pure virtual function is that it has the same 
name and type (type = signature + result), and so, that it very 
naturally can serve as a default.

So, it is not really an implementation of the virtual function as such, 
it is just an implementation of the same kind of function, perhaps a bit 
confusingly with the same name as  the virtual function. ;-)


> I do not believe this is an ease-of-implementation issue as VC++ and g++
> allow it no problem (yes I know UB can "silently work"); clang seemingly
> follows the standard to the letter and doesn't.
>
> All pure means is that a virtual function should be overridden in a
> derived class; there should be no difference in dynamic dispatch for
> pure virtual functions and ordinary virtual functions.
>
> Thoughts?

Pure also means that the function does not exist in this class.

That's easier to get to grips with when one realizes that the apparent 
implementation of the virtual function is not, but is just an 
implementation of the same kind of function, and with the same name.

For example, it's then more clear that it will never (guaranteed) be 
executed by a virtual call, no matter where that call comes from.


Cheers & hth.,

- Alf

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Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-14 23:06 +0000
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Goran <goran.pusic@gmail.com> - 2012-01-14 22:21 -0800
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-15 02:25 -0600
    Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-15 14:07 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-15 13:13 -0600
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Alf P. Steinbach" <alf.p.steinbach+usenet@gmail.com> - 2012-01-15 09:29 +0100
    Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-15 14:16 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Alf P. Steinbach" <alf.p.steinbach+usenet@gmail.com> - 2012-01-15 15:25 +0100
        Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-15 14:30 +0000
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-16 01:57 -0800
    Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Alf P. Steinbach" <alf.p.steinbach+usenet@gmail.com> - 2012-01-16 11:28 +0100
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 11:29 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-16 03:21 -0800
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 12:04 +0000
    Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 12:52 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 14:14 +0000
        Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 14:26 +0000
          Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 16:14 +0000
            Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 16:37 +0000
              Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 18:02 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 18:22 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 19:15 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 20:34 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 20:41 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 20:49 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 21:08 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 21:11 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 23:18 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 23:39 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 23:48 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-16 23:57 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 12:24 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 14:11 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-17 06:43 -0800
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 14:52 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-17 07:22 -0800
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 16:35 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 16:40 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 17:30 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-18 10:38 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-18 11:57 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-18 12:49 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-17 08:59 -0800
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 17:03 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-17 11:34 -0600
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-17 12:14 -0600
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Gareth Owen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-18 06:37 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-18 13:08 -0600
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-18 13:14 -0600
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 15:50 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 15:59 +0000
                Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 16:09 +0000
          Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. jgk@panix.com (Joe keane) - 2012-01-17 16:13 +0000
            Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) - 2012-01-18 18:11 +0000
        Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. gwowen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-16 06:34 -0800
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Gil <vnicula@gmail.com> - 2012-01-16 20:55 -0800
  Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-17 17:58 +0000
    Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) - 2012-01-18 18:12 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Leigh Johnston <leigh@i42.co.uk> - 2012-01-18 19:00 +0000
        Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. "Paul" <pchrist<nospam>or@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-01-18 22:00 +0000
      Re: Rationale for base class pure virtual function call from ctor/dtor being undefined behaviour. Gareth Owen <gwowen@gmail.com> - 2012-01-19 06:22 +0000

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