Section
std::initializer_list
(not to be confused with member initializer list)
# Declarations
template< class T >
class initializer_list;
(since C++11)
# Notes
Feature-test macro Value Std Feature __cpp_initializer_lists 200806L (C++11) List-initialization and std::initializer_list
# Example
#include <cassert>
#include <initializer_list>
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
template<class T>
struct S
{
std::vector<T> v;
S(std::initializer_list<T> l) : v(l)
{
std::cout << "constructed with a " << l.size() << "-element list\n";
}
void append(std::initializer_list<T> l)
{
v.insert(v.end(), l.begin(), l.end());
}
std::pair<const T*, std::size_t> c_arr() const
{
return {&v[0], v.size()}; // copy list-initialization in return statement
// this is NOT a use of std::initializer_list
}
};
template<typename T>
void templated_fn(T) {}
int main()
{
S<int> s = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; // copy list-initialization
s.append({6, 7, 8}); // list-initialization in function call
std::cout << "The vector now has " << s.c_arr().second << " ints:\n";
for (auto n : s.v)
std::cout << n << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
std::cout << "Range-for over brace-init-list: \n";
for (int x : {-1, -2, -3}) // the rule for auto makes this ranged-for work
std::cout << x << ' ';
std::cout << '\n';
auto al = {10, 11, 12}; // special rule for auto
std::cout << "The list bound to auto has size() = " << al.size() << '\n';
auto la = al; // a shallow-copy of top-level proxy object
assert(la.begin() == al.begin()); // guaranteed: backing array is the same
std::initializer_list<int> il{-3, -2, -1};
assert(il.begin()[2] == -1); // note the replacement for absent operator[]
il = al; // shallow-copy
assert(il.begin() == al.begin()); // guaranteed
// templated_fn({1, 2, 3}); // compiler error! "{1, 2, 3}" is not an expression,
// it has no type, and so T cannot be deduced
templated_fn<std::initializer_list<int>>({1, 2, 3}); // OK
templated_fn<std::vector<int>>({1, 2, 3}); // also OK
}
# Defect reports
| DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| LWG 2129 | C++11 | std::initializer_list could have explicitspecializations or partial specializations | the program isill-formed in this case |