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3392. ranges::distance() cannot be used on a move-only iterator with a sized sentinel

Section: 25.4.4.3 [range.iter.op.distance] Status: WP Submitter: Patrick Palka Opened: 2020-02-07 Last modified: 2021-10-14

Priority: 3

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Discussion:

One cannot use ranges::distance(I, S) to compute the distance between a move-only counted_iterator and the default_sentinel. In other words, the following is invalid

// iter is a counted_iterator with an move-only underlying iterator
ranges::distance(iter, default_sentinel);

and yet

(default_sentinel - iter);

is valid. The first example is invalid because ranges::distance() takes its first argument by value so when invoking it with an iterator lvalue argument the iterator must be copyable, which a move-only iterator is not. The second example is valid because counted_iterator::operator-() takes its iterator argument by const reference, so it doesn't require copyability of the counted_iterator.

This incongruency poses an inconvenience in generic code which uses ranges::distance() to efficiently compute the distance between two iterators or between an iterator-sentinel pair. Although it's a bit of an edge case, it would be good if ranges::distance() does the right thing when the iterator is a move-only lvalue with a sized sentinel.

If this is worth fixing, one solution might be to define a separate overload of ranges::distance(I, S) that takes its arguments by const reference, as follows.

[2020-02 Prioritized as P3 and LEWG Monday morning in Prague]

[2020-05-28; LEWG issue reviewing]

LEWG issue processing voted to accept the direction of 3392. Status change to Open.

Accept the direction of LWG3392

SF F N A SA
14 6 0 0 0

Previous resolution [SUPERSEDED]:

1. Modify 25.2 [iterator.synopsis], header <iterator> synopsis, as indicated:

   #include <concepts>
   
   namespace std {
     […]
     // 25.4.4 [range.iter.ops], range iterator operations
     namespace ranges {
       […]
       // 25.4.4.3 [range.iter.op.distance], ranges::distance
       template<input_or_output_iterator I, sentinel_for<I> S>
         requires (!sized_sentinel_for<S, I>)
           constexpr iter_difference_t<I> distance(I first, S last);
       template<input_or_output_iterator I, sized_sentinel_for<I> S>
         constexpr iter_difference_t<I> distance(const I& first, const S& last);
       template<range R>
         constexpr range_difference_t<R> distance(R&& r);
       […]
     }
     […]
   }
   

2. Modify 25.4.4.3 [range.iter.op.distance] as indicated:

   template<input_or_output_iterator I, sentinel_for<I> S>
     requires (!sized_sentinel_for<S, I>)
       constexpr iter_difference_t<I> ranges::distance(I first, S last);
   

   -1- Preconditions: [first, last) denotes a range, or [last, first) denotes a range and S and I model same_as<S, I> && sized_sentinel_for<S, I>.

   -2- Effects: If S and I model sized_sentinel_for<S, I>, returns (last - first); otherwise, rReturns the number of increments needed to get from first to last.

   template<input_or_output_iterator I, sized_sentinel_for<I> S>
     constexpr iter_difference_t<I> ranges::distance(const I& first, const S& last);
   

   -?- Preconditions: S and I model sized_sentinel_for<S, I> and either:

   1. (?.1) — [first, last) denotes a range, or

   2. (?.2) — [last, first) denotes a range and S and I model same_as<S, I>.

   -? Effects: Returns (last - first);

[2021-05-19 Tim updates wording]

The wording below removes the explicit precondition on the sized_sentinel_for overload of distance, relying instead on the semantic requirements of that concept and the "Effects: Equivalent to:" word of power. This also removes the potentially surprising inconsistency that given a non-empty std::vector<int> v, ranges::distance(v.begin(), v.cend()) is well-defined but ranges::distance(v.cend(), v.begin()) is currently undefined.

[2021-06-23; Reflector poll]

Set status to Tentatively Ready after seven votes in favour during reflector poll.

[2021-10-14 Approved at October 2021 virtual plenary. Status changed: Voting → WP.]

Proposed resolution:

This wording is relative to N4885.

1. Modify 25.2 [iterator.synopsis], header <iterator> synopsis, as indicated:

   […]
   
   namespace std {
     […]
     // 25.4.4 [range.iter.ops], range iterator operations
     namespace ranges {
       […]
       // 25.4.4.3 [range.iter.op.distance], ranges::distance
       template<input_or_output_iterator I, sentinel_for<I> S>
         requires (!sized_sentinel_for<S, I>)
           constexpr iter_difference_t<I> distance(I first, S last);
       template<input_or_output_iterator I, sized_sentinel_for<I> S>
         constexpr iter_difference_t<I> distance(const I& first, const S& last);
       template<range R>
         constexpr range_difference_t<R> distance(R&& r);
       […]
     }
     […]
   }
   

2. Modify 25.4.4.3 [range.iter.op.distance] as indicated:

   template<input_or_output_iterator I, sentinel_for<I> S>
     requires (!sized_sentinel_for<S, I>)
       constexpr iter_difference_t<I> ranges::distance(I first, S last);
   

   -1- Preconditions: [first, last) denotes a range, or [last, first) denotes a range and S and I model same_as<S, I> && sized_sentinel_for<S, I>.

   -2- Effects: If S and I model sized_sentinel_for<S, I>, returns (last - first); otherwise, returns the Returns: The number of increments needed to get from first to last.

   template<input_or_output_iterator I, sized_sentinel_for<I> S>
     constexpr iter_difference_t<I> ranges::distance(const I& first, const S& last);
   

   -?- Effects: Equivalent to return last - first;