140. map<Key, T>::value_type does not satisfy the assignable requirement

Section: 23.4.3 [map] Status: NAD Editorial Submitter: Mark Mitchell Opened: 1999-04-14 Last modified: 2016-01-28

Priority: Not Prioritized

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Discussion:

23.2 [container.requirements]

expression         return type      pre/post-condition
-------------     -----------      -------------------
X::value_type    T                    T is assignable

23.4.3 [map]

A map satisfies all the requirements of a container.

For a map<Key, T> ... the value_type is pair<const Key, T>.

There's a contradiction here. In particular, `pair<const Key, T>' is not assignable; the `const Key' cannot be assigned to. So,  map<Key, T>::value_type does not satisfy the assignable requirement imposed by a container.

[See issue 103 for the slightly related issue of modification of set keys.]

Rationale:

The LWG believes that the standard is inconsistent, but that this is a design problem rather than a strict defect. May wish to reconsider for the next standard.