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operator-> for reference_wrapper #94
Description
Why boost::reference_wrapper template class dosn't has operator-> overloading? Is there any objective reason?
It may be useful for some instantiations, like boost::reference_wrapper<Object*> or like boost::reference_wrapper<std::shared_ptr<Object>> to use these without casting
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Lastique commentedon Aug 3, 2021
I suppose, the main reason is that
reference_wrapper<T>is not intended to be a proxy forT.pdimov commentedon Aug 3, 2021
I suspect you're misunderstanding the request as
T* operator->whereas it'sT& operator->.reference_wrapper<T>is intended to act as a reference toTand has an implicit conversionoperator T&, which enables this. It also has a forwardingoperator()because the conversion doesn't work in this case. The request makes sense, the reason for not havingoperator->is because nobody brought it up until now.pdimov commentedon Aug 3, 2021
E.g. https://godbolt.org/z/3zx9YbY44