C++26coreexpert
Contracts (C++26 Proposed, Deferred to Post-C++26)
C++26 · The Next Frontier · Compiler flag: -std=c++26
Explanation
Specify preconditions, postconditions, and assertions for functions (proposed, likely deferred).
Real-World Scenario
Enforce input validation for a game engine’s API.
Quick Snippet
snippet.cpp
void process(int x) [[pre: x > 0]]; // Proposed syntaxFull Example
contracts.cpp
// CodeNebula - C++26 Example: Contracts
// Compile: g++ -std=c++26 -Wall -Wextra -o example contracts.cpp
// Note: Requires C++26 compiler support (GCC 15+ / Clang 19+ expected)
// C++26 introduces contracts: preconditions, postconditions, and assertions.
// These allow functions to declare expectations on inputs, outputs, and
// intermediate state, enabling runtime checking and static analysis.
#include <iostream>
#include <cmath>
// --- C++26 Contract Syntax (not yet compilable) ---
//
// double sqrt_safe(double x)
// pre(x >= 0.0) // precondition: caller must ensure
// post(r: r >= 0.0) // postcondition: 'r' names the return value
// {
// contract_assert(x == x); // in-body assertion (x is not NaN)
// return std::sqrt(x);
// }
//
// int divide(int a, int b)
// pre(b != 0) // prevent division by zero
// post(r: r * b <= a) // postcondition on result
// {
// return a / b;
// }
// --- Simulation using C++20 features ---
#include <stdexcept>
#include <cassert>
// Simulate preconditions and postconditions with manual checks
double sqrt_safe(double x) {
// Simulated pre(x >= 0.0)
if (x < 0.0) throw std::invalid_argument("precondition failed: x >= 0.0");
assert(x == x); // Simulated contract_assert (x is not NaN)
double result = std::sqrt(x);
// Simulated post(r: r >= 0.0)
if (result < 0.0) throw std::logic_error("postcondition failed: r >= 0.0");
return result;
}
int divide(int a, int b) {
// Simulated pre(b != 0)
if (b == 0) throw std::invalid_argument("precondition failed: b != 0");
return a / b;
}
int main() {
std::cout << "=== C++26 Contracts (Simulated) ===" << std::endl;
std::cout << "sqrt_safe(25.0) = " << sqrt_safe(25.0) << std::endl;
std::cout << "sqrt_safe(2.0) = " << sqrt_safe(2.0) << std::endl;
std::cout << "divide(10, 3) = " << divide(10, 3) << std::endl;
try {
sqrt_safe(-1.0); // Violates precondition
} catch (const std::exception& e) {
std::cout << "Caught: " << e.what() << std::endl;
}
try {
divide(5, 0); // Violates precondition
} catch (const std::exception& e) {
std::cout << "Caught: " << e.what() << std::endl;
}
std::cout << "Contracts help catch bugs at function boundaries." << std::endl;
return 0;
}
// Expected output:
// === C++26 Contracts (Simulated) ===
// sqrt_safe(25.0) = 5
// sqrt_safe(2.0) = 1.41421
// divide(10, 3) = 3
// Caught: precondition failed: x >= 0.0
// Caught: precondition failed: b != 0
// Contracts help catch bugs at function boundaries.
Run command
g++ -std=c++26 -Wall -Wextra -o example contracts.cpp