[Moved to DR at the October, 2012 meeting.]

Proposed resolution (February, 2012):

1. Change 6.8.5 [basic.type.qualifier] paragraph 1 as follows:

The term object type (6.7.2 [intro.object]) includes the cv-qualifiers specified in the decl-specifier-seq (9.2 [dcl.spec]), declarator ( 9.3 [dcl.decl]), type-id (9.3.2 [dcl.name]), or new-type-id (7.6.2.8 [expr.new]) when the object is created. The presence of a const specifier in a decl-specifier-seq declares an object of const-qualified object type; such object is called a const object. The presence of a volatile specifier in a decl-specifier-seq declares an object of volatile-qualified object type; such object is called a volatile object. The presence of both cv-qualifiers in a decl-specifier-seq declares an object of const-volatile-qualified object type; such object is called a const volatile object.

• A const object is an object of type const T or a non-mutable subobject of such an object.

• A volatile object is an object of type volatile T, a subobject of such an object, or a mutable subobject of a const volatile object.

• A const volatile object is an object of type const volatile T, a non-mutable subobject of such an object, a const subobject of a volatile object, or a non-mutable volatile subobject of a const object.

The cv-qualified or cv-unqualified versions of a type are distinct types; however, they shall have the same representation and alignment requirements (6.8 [basic.types]).⁵¹

2. Change 6.8.5 [basic.type.qualifier] paragraph 3 as follows:

Each non-static, non-mutable, non-reference data member of a const-qualified class object is const-qualified, each non-static, non-reference data member of a volatile-qualified class object is volatile-qualified and similarly for members of a const-volatile class. See 9.3.4.6 [dcl.fct] and _N4868_.11.4.3.2 [class.this] regarding function types...

The definition of “const object” in 6.8.5 [basic.type.qualifier] paragraph 1 is:

The presence of a const specifier in a decl-specifier-seq declares an object of const-qualified object type; such object is called a const object.

Because the type of an object created by a new-expression is given by a type-id or new-type-id rather than with a decl-specifier-seq, this definition gives the false impression that objects of dynamic storage duration cannot be const objects. The wording should be adjusted to make it clear that they can.