std::ranges::constant_range

Since C++23

Header: <ranges>

  1. The constant_range concept is a refinement of range for which ranges::begin returns a constant iterator.

# Declarations

template< class T >
concept constant_range =
ranges::input_range<T> &&
/*constant-iterator*/<ranges::iterator_t<T>>;

(since C++23)

Helper concepts

template< class T >
concept /*constant-iterator*/ =
std::input_iterator<T> &&
std::same_as<std::iter_const_reference_t<T>, std::iter_reference_t<T>>;

(exposition only*)

# Example

#include <ranges>
#include <span>
#include <string_view>
#include <vector>
 
// mechanisms for ensuring the parameter is a constant range
// 1) an overload set where the mutable one defers to the constant one
template<std::ranges::constant_range R>
void takes_any_range1(R&& r)
{
    // R is definitely a constant range
}
 
template<std::ranges::range R>
void takes_any_range1(R&& r)
{
    takes_any_range1(std::views::as_const(std::forward<R>(r)));
}
 
// 2) one function template that shadows its parameter
template<std::ranges::range R>
void takes_any_range2(R&& _r)
{
    auto r = std::views::as_const(std::forward<R>(_r));
 
    // r is definitely a constant range
    // never use _r again
}
 
// 3) one function template that recursively invokes itself
template<std::ranges::range R>
void takes_any_range3(R&& r)
{
    if constexpr (std::ranges::constant_range<R>)
    {
        // R is definitely a constant range
        // put implementation here
    }
    else
        takes_any_range3(std::views::as_const(std::forward<R>(r)));
}
 
static_assert
(
        std::ranges::constant_range<const std::vector<int>> and
    not std::ranges::constant_range<std::vector<int>> and
        std::ranges::constant_range<std::string_view> and
    not std::ranges::constant_range<std::span<int>> and
        std::ranges::constant_range<std::span<const int>> and
    not std::ranges::constant_range<const std::span<int>>
);
 
int main() {}