Title
effects of end-of-file on unformatted input functions
Status
nad
Section
[ostream.sentry]
Submitter
Martin Sebor

Created on 2003-01-05.00:00:00 last changed 171 months ago

Messages

Date: 2010-10-21.18:28:33

[ 2009-07 Frankfurt ]

Moved to NAD. See [istream] p3.

Date: 2003-01-05.00:00:00

While reviewing unformatted input member functions of istream for their behavior when they encounter end-of-file during input I found that the requirements vary, sometimes unexpectedly, and in more than one case even contradict established practice (GNU libstdc++ 3.2, IBM VAC++ 6.0, STLPort 4.5, SunPro 5.3, HP aCC 5.38, Rogue Wave libstd 3.1, and Classic Iostreams).

The following unformatted input member functions set eofbit if they encounter an end-of-file (this is the expected behavior, and also the behavior of all major implementations):

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    get (char_type*, streamsize, char_type);
    

Also sets failbit if it fails to extract any characters.

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    get (char_type*, streamsize);
    

Also sets failbit if it fails to extract any characters.

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    getline (char_type*, streamsize, char_type);
    

Also sets failbit if it fails to extract any characters.

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    getline (char_type*, streamsize);
    

Also sets failbit if it fails to extract any characters.

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    ignore (int, int_type);
    
    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    read (char_type*, streamsize);
    

Also sets failbit if it encounters end-of-file.

    streamsize readsome (char_type*, streamsize);
    

The following unformated input member functions set failbit but not eofbit if they encounter an end-of-file (I find this odd since the functions make it impossible to distinguish a general failure from a failure due to end-of-file; the requirement is also in conflict with all major implementation which set both eofbit and failbit):

    int_type get();
    
    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    get (char_type&);
    

These functions only set failbit of they extract no characters, otherwise they don't set any bits, even on failure (I find this inconsistency quite unexpected; the requirement is also in conflict with all major implementations which set eofbit whenever they encounter end-of-file):

    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    get (basic_streambuf<charT, traits>&, char_type);
    
    basic_istream<charT, traits>&
    get (basic_streambuf<charT, traits>&);
    

This function sets no bits (all implementations except for STLport and Classic Iostreams set eofbit when they encounter end-of-file):

    int_type peek ();
    

Informally, what we want is a global statement of intent saying that eofbit gets set if we trip across EOF, and then we can take away the specific wording for individual functions. A full review is necessary. The wording currently in the standard is a mishmash, and changing it on an individual basis wouldn't make things better. Dietmar will do this work.

History
Date User Action Args
2010-10-21 18:28:33adminsetmessages: + msg2486
2003-01-05 00:00:00admincreate