C++11 – static_assert within constexpr function

cc++11constexprstatic-assert

How would one properly do a static_assert within a constexpr function? For example:

constexpr int do_something(int x)
{
  static_assert(x > 0, "x must be > 0");
  return x + 5;
}

This is not valid C++11 code, because a constexpr function must only contain a return statement. I don't think that the standard has an exception to this, although, the GCC 4.7 does not let me compile this code.

Best Answer

This is not valid C++11 code, because a constexpr function must only contain a return statement.

This is incorrect. static_assert in a constexpr function are fine. What is not fine is using function parameters in constant expressions, like you do it.

You could throw if x <= 0. Calling the function in a context that requires a constant expression will then fail to compile

constexpr int do_something(int x) {
  return x > 0 ? (x + 5) : (throw std::logic_error("x must be > 0"));
}
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