C++ named requirements: TriviallyCopyable (since C++11)
Note: the standard doesn't define a named requirement with this name. This is a type category defined by the core language. It is included here as a named requirement only for consistency.
Contents |
[edit] Requirements
The following types are collectively called trivially copyable types:
- scalar types
- trivially copyable class types
- arrays of such types
- cv-qualified versions of these types
[edit] Notes
In general, for any trivially copyable type T
and an object obj1
of T
, the underlying bytes of obj1
can be copied into an array of char, or unsigned char, or std::byte(since C++17) or into obj2
, a distinct object of T
. Neither obj1
nor obj2
may be a potentially-overlapping subobject.
If the underlying bytes of obj1
are copied into such an array, and then the resulting content is copied back into obj1
, obj1
will hold its original value. If the underlying bytes of obj1
are copied into obj2
, obj2
will hold obj1
's value.
Underlying bytes can be copied by std::memcpy or std::memmove, as long as no living volatile object is accessed.
[edit] Defect reports
The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.
DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior |
---|---|---|---|
CWG 1734 | C++11 | C++03 POD with deleted non-trivial assignment was not trivial | deleted ctors/operators allowed |
CWG 2094 | C++11 | Volatile scalar types are not trivially copyable (CWG 1746) | made trivially copyable |
[edit] See also
(C++11) |
checks if a type is trivially copyable (class template) |